tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69360174919365888752024-02-19T02:15:19.294-05:00Cute Junk I've MadeMy little space on the web to show off all the cute junk I've made so my boyfriend can stop having to ohh and ahh over things like cupcake towers and bathing suit cover-ups. Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-32307471239383022412013-04-22T08:00:00.000-04:002013-04-29T11:02:30.248-04:00Unisex Chevron Baby Shower + FREE Printables!My favorite part of my day job is that I'm in charge of planning parties and events for the floor. So what that means, essentially, is that I get paid to browse Pinterest for ideas, decorate, and all of my supplies are paid for! <br />
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One of my favorite people on the floor is having her first child next month - let's call her MTB - so when her supervisor asked me to help plan a shower I was stoked!<br />
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She is not your typical baby animals, pastel pink and blue, cutesy type of mom-to-be, so I knew a standard baby shower wasn't going to work for her. I'm sure she would have appreciated anything we did, but we wanted it to scream her name when you walked in the door.<br />
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When she was telling me about her neutral with pops of color nursery, inspiration was born!<br />
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These are the colors I chose for the shower.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts2Ky4a4DyVPVTNTT8IogLz0ZuOrndymYT351VzJQNHlrdzQgZXNINcrfmCWwar_g6M8m4D0MAjpuMYbQho5zFQKGRipuOyexSVONcQ-K7QK1NiGgaUzGGEseBOFnYe-6b9fdVCuw_RAl/s1600/Shower+Colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts2Ky4a4DyVPVTNTT8IogLz0ZuOrndymYT351VzJQNHlrdzQgZXNINcrfmCWwar_g6M8m4D0MAjpuMYbQho5zFQKGRipuOyexSVONcQ-K7QK1NiGgaUzGGEseBOFnYe-6b9fdVCuw_RAl/s320/Shower+Colors.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the invite.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dafont.com/dk-wayang.font" target="_blank">Font</a>, <a href="http://www.dafont.com/dk-carte-blanche.font" target="_blank">Font</a></td></tr>
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And then I whipped up a little baby shower banner. Download your own <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8d_REuXLZCOUG1NQmhXMFVVVkk/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nuZT-Ze37p8/UWxd5VofzQI/AAAAAAAADIY/m-t9ls1LstM/s1600/Kate%2527s+Shower+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nuZT-Ze37p8/UWxd5VofzQI/AAAAAAAADIY/m-t9ls1LstM/s640/Kate%2527s+Shower+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some bright-colored tassles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MANx4pWzXM4/UWxd8Q-YuRI/AAAAAAAADJA/YReFxmq7M9o/s1600/Kate%2527s+Shower+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MANx4pWzXM4/UWxd8Q-YuRI/AAAAAAAADJA/YReFxmq7M9o/s640/Kate%2527s+Shower+020.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.linenlaceandlove.com/search?updated-max=2012-06-27T06:00:00-07:00&max-results=8" target="_blank">Tutorial</a></td></tr>
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Some big and bright poofs.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UQ6qqpHnkBA/UWxd4_IPI9I/AAAAAAAADIQ/UF22EOd8xew/s1600/Kate%2527s+Shower+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UQ6qqpHnkBA/UWxd4_IPI9I/AAAAAAAADIQ/UF22EOd8xew/s640/Kate%2527s+Shower+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDN2K2KkNhW6UENwsfaXTmxUuli6ABCaBZY-eF-wzazCMO-LZNnLHP3RRT1cOjthfWTuR0yA-F5jeQCN47_wUPI9rAzQ6hSmus2B04RnxEOy2SI2OnUJkMnBQLnP41-7pzxV0Dsb4qyrZP/s1600/Kate%2527s+Shower+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDN2K2KkNhW6UENwsfaXTmxUuli6ABCaBZY-eF-wzazCMO-LZNnLHP3RRT1cOjthfWTuR0yA-F5jeQCN47_wUPI9rAzQ6hSmus2B04RnxEOy2SI2OnUJkMnBQLnP41-7pzxV0Dsb4qyrZP/s640/Kate%2527s+Shower+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rustsunshine.blogspot.ca/2012/05/tissue-paper-flowers.html" target="_blank">Tutorial</a></td></tr>
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And PINWHEELS! I'll detail in another post how I made these.<br />
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My co-conspirator, Joanie, brought/made these super cute Kewpie flowers.<br />
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Did I mention MTB isn't finding out what she's having? And since no shower is complete without a game of sorts, I used that and came up with this "Bow or Beau" bulletin board game. Since you guys are my favorite people on earth, I'm also sharing the headers for the bulletin board with you <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8d_REuXLZCOTG5RUm82TUpyWVE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SG9iW6in_nc/UWxd3TyOOqI/AAAAAAAADH8/MHrg4Q4u-mU/s1600/Kate%2527s+Shower+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SG9iW6in_nc/UWxd3TyOOqI/AAAAAAAADH8/MHrg4Q4u-mU/s640/Kate%2527s+Shower+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like she's having a boy!</td></tr>
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Here's the decorated conference room. It goes to show even the dingiest office conference room can be a great setting for a party!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wExgOUp54IU/UWxd6qU5MjI/AAAAAAAADIo/nFQ-JPR81iw/s1600/Kate%2527s+Shower+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wExgOUp54IU/UWxd6qU5MjI/AAAAAAAADIo/nFQ-JPR81iw/s640/Kate%2527s+Shower+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out those artfully arranged forks! That is all Joanie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VCr0Ez-D2NwrEV9u83DFGfXnXLnsjbDsARfAh4es4Ip66LkzbUGRcMI3vO2TpTbT1t46Lw5f5Pdy73mgMviF3yAO6FxEt4GJmv88R30426sT9TjLHiA8ycWHxwcY4TqJ3aBFUFz1jBnS/s1600/Kate%2527s+Shower+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VCr0Ez-D2NwrEV9u83DFGfXnXLnsjbDsARfAh4es4Ip66LkzbUGRcMI3vO2TpTbT1t46Lw5f5Pdy73mgMviF3yAO6FxEt4GJmv88R30426sT9TjLHiA8ycWHxwcY4TqJ3aBFUFz1jBnS/s640/Kate%2527s+Shower+019.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get it? An umbrella for a <i>shower</i>?? Get it!!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wdfWjnSzfGg/UWxd27ayFLI/AAAAAAAADH0/STLbq98pR88/s1600/Kate%2527s+Shower+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="594" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wdfWjnSzfGg/UWxd27ayFLI/AAAAAAAADH0/STLbq98pR88/s640/Kate%2527s+Shower+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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All in all, it was a fun time and we had a blast decorating for this shower! If you use the printable <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8d_REuXLZCOUG1NQmhXMFVVVkk/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">baby shower banner</a> or the printable <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8d_REuXLZCOTG5RUm82TUpyWVE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Bow or Beau game</a>, I'd love to see them in action!<br />
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If you'd like a blank version of the invite to customize yourself, I'd be happy pass it along, just <a href="mailto:cutejunkivemade@gmail.com" target="_blank">email me</a>!<br />
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Linking up, where else?<br />
<a href="http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w351/laurenjh04/buttonashtor200.jpg" /></a>Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-47030151341511862662013-04-16T15:48:00.003-04:002013-04-16T15:49:12.353-04:00How to Make Horchata<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yKUQUPOubbxBFhWlOizVO9d2cvjBsdMHr7uKfFVRwYJs74WHqBb2CW0XnKTMKKeCGFrGK3GIk62vUTSgx7-PeTeUiGzGzRmcOiqV4qhPHsdUu1qk-Y8lwCdrfPABl9lEPwFR4o1OX0Sa/s1600/Header+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cute Junk I've Made | How to Make Horchata" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yKUQUPOubbxBFhWlOizVO9d2cvjBsdMHr7uKfFVRwYJs74WHqBb2CW0XnKTMKKeCGFrGK3GIk62vUTSgx7-PeTeUiGzGzRmcOiqV4qhPHsdUu1qk-Y8lwCdrfPABl9lEPwFR4o1OX0Sa/s640/Header+Image.jpg" title="Cute Junk I've Made | How to Make Horchata" width="640" /></a></div>
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While Dude and I were in Arizona, I had my very first taste of horchata at a teeny Mexican restaurant called Moreno's. If you've never had it, horchata is this amazing milky, kinda spicy drink made from rice. If you like chai tea, you'll <i>love</i> horchata. <br />
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Since we got back to Pittsburgh, I've been dying to find some really good horchata and have been failing at every turn. <br />
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I tried the grocery store boxed version and it tasted like milk water that had been fermenting inside of a gym sock. <br />
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We've been to three different "authentic" Mexican restaurants (as authentic as you can get in Pittsburgh) and only one offered horchata and it was not great. <br />
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After that last failed attempt to purchase horchata, I gave up and decided to make some myself. <br />
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Making your own horchata is insanely simple. It requires ingredients that you probably have in your pantry right now and no special equipment other than a big jar and a blender.<br />
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<ul>
<li>1 cup of plain, white rice</li>
<li>1 3" cinnamon stick (or a couple smaller ones)</li>
<li>2 cups of hot water</li>
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I told you!<br />
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First up, measure out your rice and water.<br />
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Dump the rice and water into a tall container and then let it sit on your kitchen counter overnight.<br />
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Once you've let this mixture sit for at least 12 hours, you'll need to blend it all together. <br />
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Dump everything, including the cinnamon sticks, into a blender and blend on the highest speed for at least 3 minutes. I blended mine for about 5.<br />
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After blending, you'll still have some gritty-ness left over from the rice. <br />
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No one wants gritty horchata, so it's time to strain!<br />
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Sorry about that awkward sentence. Moving on...<br />
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Set up a fine mesh strainer over top of a large bowl. <br />
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Put some cheesecloth, muslin, or in my case, a flour sack kitchen towel, in the strainer.<br />
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Then slooooowwwlllyy pour the horchata into the towel. The good stuff will drip through and you'll be left with this paste in your towel.<br />
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But there's still perfectly good horchata left in there, so when there's about a cup of liquid left in the towel, pick everything up and squeeze out the rest of the liquid.<br />
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Now you'll be left with a bowl full of mostly grit-free horchata. I opted for one more trip through the strainer before I completed this next step, but you be the judge.<br />
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This is what got caught the second time around, with no towel.<br />
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Lastly, mix your horchata with one cup of almond milk. If you don't care for almond milk, you can substitute water, but I think the almond milk gives it a creamier consistency. <br />
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I've got a major sweet tooth and just the (sweetened!) almond milk wasn't enough for me, so I whipped up a batch of vanilla simple syrup to add to the finished horchata.<br />
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Yes, you could just add sugar, but I never have good luck getting sugar to blend with cold liquids so simple syrup was an easy decision for me. <br />
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Simple syrups are pretty simple to make...I guess you could have guessed that on your own just based on the name, huh?<br />
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All you do mix equal parts of sugar and water and then boil on the stovetop until all the sugar is dissolved. Allow it to cool to room temperature and add whatever flavoring you prefer. In my case, I added a teaspoon of vanilla.<br />
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I used a bit less than half a cup of simple syrup to sweeten my horchata.<br />
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If you have the willpower of 1,000 men and women, put the horchata in the fridge to rest for an hour or two. <br />
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But if you're impatient like me, pour some over ice, add an extra dash of cinnamon and enjoy!<br />
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And what goes better with milk than cookies??<br />
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Was this horchata as good as Moreno's? Probably not, but was it better than any horchata I've had since we got back to Pittsburgh? You bet!!!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Background Noise for This Project: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Study_in_Pink" target="_blank">Sherlock - Season 1, Episode 1: A Study in Pink</a></span></span>Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-6589297380335698072013-03-26T08:00:00.000-04:002013-03-27T15:32:54.125-04:00Simple Spring Wreath + FREE Printable!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Truth time:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just took down the Christmas wreath from my front door last weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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In my defense, it was just green and snowy and had pinecones all over it so it wasn’t exactly “Christmas-y.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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But still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to feel like our mailman was judging my decorating abilities ever since my “Let It Snow” banner stayed up until it was literally falling apart.</div>
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Seriously, I found one of the letters in my neighbor’s yard.</div>
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Anyways, so I dug through my craft stash closet in out attic looking for something bright and springy and found this.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2Ut00mPWKo/UUsX3aLieuI/AAAAAAAACzA/BB4GMoJM65o/s1600/grapevine-wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2Ut00mPWKo/UUsX3aLieuI/AAAAAAAACzA/BB4GMoJM65o/s1600/grapevine-wreath.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/grapevine-wreath.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source</span></span></a></td></tr>
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Ok, not exactly this one but a grape vine wreath I bought I think last spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows what project I was planning that never got started...</div>
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Anyways, I found the wreath and the wheels started churning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking bright colors, maybe some rosettes and definitely the word “SPRING” somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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So late last week I made this cute little <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8d_REuXLZCOLUNBMXoydnVVSUU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">spring banner</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ALQJ2ju72w/UUsXUzXap-I/AAAAAAAACxg/aXhWlvNyZDg/s1600/Spring+Wreath+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ALQJ2ju72w/UUsXUzXap-I/AAAAAAAACxg/aXhWlvNyZDg/s640/Spring+Wreath+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I strung it up on some twine, using the handy-dandy tabs at the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made these tabs primarily because I can’t find my stupid hole punch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feel free to cut them off if you prefer to punch holes instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSZWPhQ3N-06untPLtu_0y6kkOHVtFzZExjpoNGpgIxfb21DpbURiFilbrov-KG_GT-Oyg3gT4VMk1pHZEm9QLBRBVTCKq6Ca-mUyl9hRy-NdQwP8zsRaotyZnoSbojo75029fGL0WbOA/s1600/Spring+Wreath+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSZWPhQ3N-06untPLtu_0y6kkOHVtFzZExjpoNGpgIxfb21DpbURiFilbrov-KG_GT-Oyg3gT4VMk1pHZEm9QLBRBVTCKq6Ca-mUyl9hRy-NdQwP8zsRaotyZnoSbojo75029fGL0WbOA/s640/Spring+Wreath+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I made some rosettes out of scrapbook paper and leftover fabric and hot glued them on. <span style="font-family: inherit;">I won't tell you how I made them because there are better tutorials than I could ever give all over the interwebs. But if you need some help, check these out: </span><u><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></u></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tBLshCtsKyI/UUsXWJ_F_JI/AAAAAAAACyA/zR5Yfl7VyKc/s1600/Spring+Wreath+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tBLshCtsKyI/UUsXWJ_F_JI/AAAAAAAACyA/zR5Yfl7VyKc/s640/Spring+Wreath+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Finally, I added a little band along the left-hand side for color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked it when I put it on, but looking at the pictures now, I may take it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RgUO6nn7TcQ/UUsXW-4uP5I/AAAAAAAACyQ/ayPYlDipI4w/s1600/Spring+Wreath+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RgUO6nn7TcQ/UUsXW-4uP5I/AAAAAAAACyQ/ayPYlDipI4w/s640/Spring+Wreath+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And there you have it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Super simple, quick and easy spring wreath.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1curbvu6FlGIt-a-x7jcaGFbN03mgS_T0avVsD0OTwxiyAxdd4gaBVYuC-HblyNu9TkuwsmHt1nKRCeLJdlDpPTAxTajx0jZ5b2hyphenhyphen-mfeQmQAc2XiUDdhAoJ_HsoUqy_HU8TntJ08WVM/s1600/Spring+Wreath+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1curbvu6FlGIt-a-x7jcaGFbN03mgS_T0avVsD0OTwxiyAxdd4gaBVYuC-HblyNu9TkuwsmHt1nKRCeLJdlDpPTAxTajx0jZ5b2hyphenhyphen-mfeQmQAc2XiUDdhAoJ_HsoUqy_HU8TntJ08WVM/s640/Spring+Wreath+013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you’d like to make your own, grab a copy of my printable spring banner <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8d_REuXLZCOLUNBMXoydnVVSUU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8d_REuXLZCON0ZLZTZoMEw4QTQ/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">large version</a> and a <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8d_REuXLZCOLUNBMXoydnVVSUU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">small version</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small is good for a wreath like mine, the large is good for hanging in a small window or at work. </div>
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Have fun and happy crafting!</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Background music for this project: Buffy the Vampire Slayer – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeper_(Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer)">Season 7, Episode 8: Sleeper</a> </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As usual, linking up to my favorite<span style="font-size: small;"> linky parties!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.lilmrstori.com/search/label/Tell%20%20Me%20Tuesday" target="_blank"><img alt="Lil’ Mrs. Tori" border="0" src="http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu244/Vmgrant52/buttonashtor300.jpg" /></a></div>
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Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-35554572917983268762013-03-21T08:00:00.000-04:002013-03-21T15:17:16.144-04:00One and Done: Homemade Burp Cloths<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrPubHzlEzmts3MwLrCAfkh-YpLVhwNaE58Doy1HsTn2WlNcs-RsPmBAwxZTOKN4jN-aL2L-hzsuPsn7c7zRADiBU8ba4DyoFiUcdT2o5UKVgo6a5xOpgHw5OBOSB6TeQrrbd7EJMqV5Y/s1600/Homemade+Burp+Cloths+Header+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrPubHzlEzmts3MwLrCAfkh-YpLVhwNaE58Doy1HsTn2WlNcs-RsPmBAwxZTOKN4jN-aL2L-hzsuPsn7c7zRADiBU8ba4DyoFiUcdT2o5UKVgo6a5xOpgHw5OBOSB6TeQrrbd7EJMqV5Y/s640/Homemade+Burp+Cloths+Header+Image.jpg" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="562" /></a></div>
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Seems like everyone and their sister - including Dude's sister! - is pregnant right now so I've been going crazy <a href="http://pinterest.com/cutejunkivemade/kids-and-baby-diy/" target="_blank">pinning</a> projects I want to make for everyone. I <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/2012/04/celebrate-baby-tutorial-burp-cloth-gift-sets.html" target="_blank">pinned a variation</a> of these super simple burp cloths by <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/" target="_blank">Dana at Made</a> ages ago but just this weekend I finally busted out my sewing machine to whip up a few.<br />
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It's tough for me to pinpoint my favorite thing about these burp cloths. It could be the fact that they take maybe 10 minutes to put together, or the fact that they look and feel much more expensive than they really are. But really I think my favorite thing is that they stand alone as a great baby shower gift, and make you look like a freaking rockstar if you include them with another store-bought gift.<br />
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So anyways, all you really need to make 12 of these cute burp cloths is a yard of chenille fabric and 1/2 yard each of as many coordinating fabrics as you like. You can use silk, cotton, knit, flannel, whatever tickles your fancy. I was able to squeeze 3 out of each coordinating fabric with barely any leftover fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHr5f4tmIEY/UUcsqDR1OBI/AAAAAAAACto/Orf0an2yYKU/s1600/Burp+Cloths+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Fabric Needed" border="0" height="406" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHr5f4tmIEY/UUcsqDR1OBI/AAAAAAAACto/Orf0an2yYKU/s640/Burp+Cloths+002.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdATlltfsaxWTd2aqmEssqMoXwfsfh2rS1_FzHI4juXAweriOEEms9In4fYQAL1N1UE2oMX7Ye9yvGPQtmAC5RfgB7VYtGwtMqqMGal7bxRDC5Oy-itoUPiiRNgKFqd_cDZPRxUuAhbnUz/s1600/Burp+Cloths+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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Because these burp cloths are so small, take a look through your scrap bin for fabrics you can use as well. Look at what I was able to find in my scraps!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPftzDmMEmGJXElo4LcwG8bLaVoT8Pc360mV-9r7dcpcIpM4vEFcg5wO8s8KNd4PpqGEFxfPuVNLpedYWTwVStO7Lw0kbQ9icfLtEzC25kAnCDo8MINMpK4NEpD9f-aHwSYcGSvCDcoLC/s1600/Burp+Cloths+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Fabric Scraps" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPftzDmMEmGJXElo4LcwG8bLaVoT8Pc360mV-9r7dcpcIpM4vEFcg5wO8s8KNd4PpqGEFxfPuVNLpedYWTwVStO7Lw0kbQ9icfLtEzC25kAnCDo8MINMpK4NEpD9f-aHwSYcGSvCDcoLC/s640/Burp+Cloths+005.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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How adorable are those girly skulls?<br />
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So here comes the hardest part. Measure out as many 10" x 18" rectangles as you can on your chenille. I went a little old-school geometry here and measured out 10", dropped the tape measure an inch, measured again, and so on until I had gone the entire length of the fabric. Then connected all my little marks.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iur3VeRlD84/UUcsqpB_hOI/AAAAAAAACuQ/3ZyfeoatHUU/s1600/Burp+Cloths+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Measure 10"" border="0" height="524" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iur3VeRlD84/UUcsqpB_hOI/AAAAAAAACuQ/3ZyfeoatHUU/s640/Burp+Cloths+006.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Repeat going the other direction for 18".<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4puNB_gfFG4/UUcsq9a7R_I/AAAAAAAACuU/ysdb5M9eWF8/s1600/Burp+Cloths+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Measure 18"" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4puNB_gfFG4/UUcsq9a7R_I/AAAAAAAACuU/ysdb5M9eWF8/s640/Burp+Cloths+008.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now repeat the same procedure with your coordinating fabrics until you have a giant stack of 10" x 18" rectangles.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNpIJUxv1YXZH9FBAj_7OxVRRBvTTQiUFhJEc2KqTnRq7kdZmtskR5AFwCkz-j2cfFcatw_AzuxEP3Wp0pCaHQ5mBhflhUqTH7Jdj1-1fFTPLdk0Pqry2NkER-sYbpa0SQFoO6J6Psx-7/s1600/Burp+Cloths+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Pile of 10x18" rectangles" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNpIJUxv1YXZH9FBAj_7OxVRRBvTTQiUFhJEc2KqTnRq7kdZmtskR5AFwCkz-j2cfFcatw_AzuxEP3Wp0pCaHQ5mBhflhUqTH7Jdj1-1fFTPLdk0Pqry2NkER-sYbpa0SQFoO6J6Psx-7/s640/Burp+Cloths+009.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you can't read it, the chili peppers are saying "Caliente!" Adorbs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pin one rectangle of the chenille and one rectangle of your coordinating fabric right sides together. If you'd like to include an extra layer of absorbent fabric, it should go on top of your coordinating fabric.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR-YWWew539o3TQGafwcx5VJe9SZ7dXUCOJGhKOARiN_8Jr_qa11u1P2TtRO1ciGcLiBExkDqY7J2J0iSdELxYmWiNjvkAeFwcRw2BOR-FJtnG7A6dY2NXhDjqty_DE1ffC7d_oQupNSe/s1600/Burp+Cloths+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Chenille and coordinating fabric pinned together" border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR-YWWew539o3TQGafwcx5VJe9SZ7dXUCOJGhKOARiN_8Jr_qa11u1P2TtRO1ciGcLiBExkDqY7J2J0iSdELxYmWiNjvkAeFwcRw2BOR-FJtnG7A6dY2NXhDjqty_DE1ffC7d_oQupNSe/s640/Burp+Cloths+010.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Leave a gap in the pins on one of the short ends. You'll use this gap to turn the burp cloths right side out later.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5mvzWCFdEZI/UUctw4Wm_XI/AAAAAAAACuo/jNWzHEbElo0/s1600/Burp+Cloths+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Gap in pins" border="0" height="374" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5mvzWCFdEZI/UUctw4Wm_XI/AAAAAAAACuo/jNWzHEbElo0/s640/Burp+Cloths+011.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sew around the edge of cloths. Using the picture as a reference, I started at the pink pin on the left, sewed the entire way around without stopping and ended up back at the mint-colored pin.<br />
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I sewed a pretty large seam allowance on this one, and it absolutely wasn't necessary, but it also didn't hinder the cloth either. These burp cloths are pretty forgiving.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvOyerbKAuY/UUctx1F8RWI/AAAAAAAACvA/5TTCGoNuF3E/s1600/Burp+Cloths+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - First pass with sewing machine" border="0" height="390" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvOyerbKAuY/UUctx1F8RWI/AAAAAAAACvA/5TTCGoNuF3E/s640/Burp+Cloths+014.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Snip off the corners so when you turn it right-side out, you'll have perfect corners with no extra foofy-ness. That's a technical term.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyaB_mLzS6k9AWHcV8V1bMSHYNXbodaVNYJbvunGdMweA3FHoHs5wi3UGjEYSCcm7DeM3Q1m5Vb5_1WwwAQxhyphenhyphenkXIv_YjZ29rijEfDIXqE-8kS8OY6T5sbmV4KF13ddTLtKZW15b0Vzn2/s1600/Burp+Cloths+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Corners trimmed" border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyaB_mLzS6k9AWHcV8V1bMSHYNXbodaVNYJbvunGdMweA3FHoHs5wi3UGjEYSCcm7DeM3Q1m5Vb5_1WwwAQxhyphenhyphenkXIv_YjZ29rijEfDIXqE-8kS8OY6T5sbmV4KF13ddTLtKZW15b0Vzn2/s640/Burp+Cloths+015.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Using the gap in your sewing, flip the entire cloth right-side out.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1-t7KSj75M/UUctzpbslRI/AAAAAAAACvc/vih6c1vSOI4/s1600/Burp+Cloths+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Turned right side out, fabric on top" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1-t7KSj75M/UUctzpbslRI/AAAAAAAACvc/vih6c1vSOI4/s640/Burp+Cloths+017.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="492" /></a></div>
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Fold in the edges of the gap and iron it. You can pin the edges in place if you think they need it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mkVZhQtTUU1BNcGLTlyXbez4_Vk6dBWSjACqGI-6SX7giVcbnsicAnWPjfN87kZBgVk673lR5IlBqlmlLVUDmTBeVG9DoBe330qkpLfhb418g73ukaSo-_36bNMHBVgl1CN0ydgR0eas/s1600/Burp+Cloths+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Right side out gap, edges folded under" border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mkVZhQtTUU1BNcGLTlyXbez4_Vk6dBWSjACqGI-6SX7giVcbnsicAnWPjfN87kZBgVk673lR5IlBqlmlLVUDmTBeVG9DoBe330qkpLfhb418g73ukaSo-_36bNMHBVgl1CN0ydgR0eas/s640/Burp+Cloths+018.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt7kx0rGYdm-T312zxH5UfPmU_lqvzTvQXHKZtfVqZ5Xn_e-Ra2vD_e6UPZXuLRROksaao9cC3NvsM2OKRF2jgOvevVTnYX2zx49t250LlLSpLgdig6qYdAv6CYlukKWvbqvNEudDjVKB/s1600/Burp+Cloths+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Ironing the gap" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt7kx0rGYdm-T312zxH5UfPmU_lqvzTvQXHKZtfVqZ5Xn_e-Ra2vD_e6UPZXuLRROksaao9cC3NvsM2OKRF2jgOvevVTnYX2zx49t250LlLSpLgdig6qYdAv6CYlukKWvbqvNEudDjVKB/s640/Burp+Cloths+019.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sew around the edges one more time and seal up the gap. Sew as close or as far from the edge as you'd like, so long as you still catch the extra fabric along the gap.<br />
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A decorative topstitch would be really cute here too!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igC0aH-xq_k/UUct1UmbF5I/AAAAAAAACwA/sSVcSfPA2Ko/s1600/Burp+Cloths+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Finished burp cloths, folded in half" border="0" height="580" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igC0aH-xq_k/UUct1UmbF5I/AAAAAAAACwA/sSVcSfPA2Ko/s640/Burp+Cloths+025.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ta-Da! Donesky!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HSNb3CtqbZ4/UUct1GJISCI/AAAAAAAACv4/g843iYwAIbU/s1600/Burp+Cloths+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Finished burp cloths tied up" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HSNb3CtqbZ4/UUct1GJISCI/AAAAAAAACv4/g843iYwAIbU/s640/Burp+Cloths+022.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05o-RQMRqKetPZ8tJFBp5jDSbu6zydI7zzJM7eMWmrusk05kwnkkZ2Xf2p6Qxo3muof4yf8F9VwvezzmenN2tkFIGIbzDPTEghV2QtVjM8mpzmHEH5_xmzJgJpvDrlkqW5HRQWOnXCZsU/s1600/Burp+Cloths+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Finished burp cloths close up of chenille side" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05o-RQMRqKetPZ8tJFBp5jDSbu6zydI7zzJM7eMWmrusk05kwnkkZ2Xf2p6Qxo3muof4yf8F9VwvezzmenN2tkFIGIbzDPTEghV2QtVjM8mpzmHEH5_xmzJgJpvDrlkqW5HRQWOnXCZsU/s640/Burp+Cloths+027.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="480" /></a></div>
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Close up of the super-snuggly fuzzy side!<br />
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For my co-worker's shower this week, I wrapped up three with a piece of coordinating ribbon and added a bottle of natural baby lotion I happened to have on hand. <br />
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Must have been on sale?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjZLNmjMoczG2C-XSyz0TWWumdXRR5Glxi-hCi8UcHAay3IrdUJGpaKw-4wx_GS4SkY2tOjI-FC8eCFOJdlup1lFlrSTmEg3feDTFjANHunde_edjzmTNwJVqvS9TF6cB4ArJ18tNXsNQ/s1600/Burp+Cloths+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One-Hour Burp Cloths - Finished burp cloths wrapped up as a gift with lotion" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjZLNmjMoczG2C-XSyz0TWWumdXRR5Glxi-hCi8UcHAay3IrdUJGpaKw-4wx_GS4SkY2tOjI-FC8eCFOJdlup1lFlrSTmEg3feDTFjANHunde_edjzmTNwJVqvS9TF6cB4ArJ18tNXsNQ/s640/Burp+Cloths+031.JPG" title="One-Hour Burp Cloths | Cute Junk I've Made" width="494" /></a></div>
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Linking up to my fave linky party:<br />
<a href="http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w351/laurenjh04/buttonashtor200.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Background Noise for This Project: Girls, Season 1: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Girls_episodes" target="_blank">Episode 7: </a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6936017491936588875" target="_blank">Welcome to Bushwick a.k.a. The Crackcident</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Girls_episodes" target="_blank">Episode 8: Weirdos Need Girlfriends Too</a>Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-39015370390307056112013-03-17T08:00:00.000-04:002013-03-17T08:00:00.136-04:00Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - How to Clean & Freshen Your Mattress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4nf5mg02gk/UT86hhQjpoI/AAAAAAAACs0/fVGRzABlpz4/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" border="0" height="310" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4nf5mg02gk/UT86hhQjpoI/AAAAAAAACs0/fVGRzABlpz4/s640/Spring+Cleaning+Header.jpg" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next up in my Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms series is how to clean and freshen your mattress. Unlike the pillows, this tutorial doesn't have an astounding before and after shot. But what I do have is this.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r24iKucQYgQ/UT86hCmTy9I/AAAAAAAACsk/alHzoI70P74/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning - Dirty Vacuum" border="0" height="476" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r24iKucQYgQ/UT86hCmTy9I/AAAAAAAACsk/alHzoI70P74/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+031.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms/Mattress | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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That, my friends, is what I vacuumed off of our mattress after cleaning it.<br />
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Gross motivation. If this doesn't get you going, I don't know what will.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
I'm going to walk you through the steps to mix up your own one-time use batch of mattress cleaner. This cleaner is fantastic and removes yellow sweat (and whatever else) stains from your mattress. It also freshens the mattress and leaves your bedroom smelling heavenly.<br />
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What you're going to need to make this miracle spray are just basic household items.<br />
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<ul>
<li>An empty spray bottle</li>
<li>A measuring cup</li>
<li>3Tbs baking soda</li>
<li>8oz of Hydrogen Peroxide</li>
<li>1 drop of dish soap</li>
<li>3-4 drops of essential oils (optional)</li>
</ul>
Measure 3 tablespoons of baking soda and dump it into your spray bottle.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKhNuTKub5A/UT86dL6UhsI/AAAAAAAACrU/4zr5TayIOmw/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Baking soda in funnel" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKhNuTKub5A/UT86dL6UhsI/AAAAAAAACrU/4zr5TayIOmw/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+021.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Measure out 8oz of hydrogen peroxide and dump that into the spray bottle as well.<br />
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Then put 1 or 2 drops of dish soap and 3-4 drops of your favorite essential oil into the spray bottle as well and shake it up.<br />
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When everything in the spray bottle is combined; and the baking soda and peroxide are working their chemical magic, spray the entire mixture onto your mattress.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYFAeM17irc01u20HlB1GngOB3D5AmI6i-hUSy281ozb3ApD7LPQrnhk4c-ktTEaF6aoBC4ckHBMtAAgTvxc8WgI77fm4sx5oGtwG5a-hqLlyJ_FCCWnJkcR4phjsm4UflvIWj-GiDzaq/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Mattress Before" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYFAeM17irc01u20HlB1GngOB3D5AmI6i-hUSy281ozb3ApD7LPQrnhk4c-ktTEaF6aoBC4ckHBMtAAgTvxc8WgI77fm4sx5oGtwG5a-hqLlyJ_FCCWnJkcR4phjsm4UflvIWj-GiDzaq/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+022.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="554" /></a></div>
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Turns out this picture is completely pointless, but I promise you, there is mattress cleaner sprayed on it in this shot. <br />
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You'll want to complete this step within 20 minutes; and watch where you're spraying it! It will leave marks on nightstands, headboards, walls, basically everywhere.<br />
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Now let your mattress dry. It took roughly 2 hours for mine to dry, so go <a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2013/03/spring-cleaning-bedrooms-how-to-wash.html" target="_blank">wash your pillows</a> or take a nap or catch up on Game of Thrones before the new season starts!<br />
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Once your mattress is dry to the touch, you'll probably feel some grittyness left over on your mattress from the baking soda. Vacuum it up and then take a good look at all the gunk in the canister. <br />
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One more time for emphasis.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r24iKucQYgQ/UT86hCmTy9I/AAAAAAAACsk/alHzoI70P74/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Yucky vacuum canister" border="0" height="476" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r24iKucQYgQ/UT86hCmTy9I/AAAAAAAACsk/alHzoI70P74/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+031.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now all that's left is to put the sheets back on the bed! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nXBfdGsKQTc/UT86gAVYlfI/AAAAAAAACsU/-SqJumh_Km8/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Clean Naked Mattress" border="0" height="398" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nXBfdGsKQTc/UT86gAVYlfI/AAAAAAAACsU/-SqJumh_Km8/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+029.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh and clean naked mattress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I can tell you from experience, this miracle spray will remove yellow sweat stains, urine stains, and my weird dog likes to lick the mattress until it's sopping wet stains.<br />
<br />
Yeah, she's our special fur kid.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Background Music for This Project: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeing_Red_%28Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer%29" target="_blank">Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Season 6, Episode 19: Seeing Red</a></span></span></i><br />
<br />Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-82484130856285122602013-03-16T08:00:00.000-04:002013-03-18T10:41:34.000-04:00Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - How To Wash Your Pillows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4nf5mg02gk/UT86hhQjpoI/AAAAAAAACs0/fVGRzABlpz4/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" border="0" height="310" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4nf5mg02gk/UT86hhQjpoI/AAAAAAAACs0/fVGRzABlpz4/s640/Spring+Cleaning+Header.jpg" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
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Ok, who else is enjoying some gorgeous springtime weather??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like as soon as I start to see some
sunshine, I am reminded of how dirty I’ve let my house get over the
winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dust on the windowsills is
suddenly more apparent, Pepper and Zeke are shedding fools, which results in tufts
of fur rolling across the kitchen floor like tumbleweeds, and the air inside
the house seems so stale with the windows closed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So as soon as Daylight Savings Time hits (Or is it
ends?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can never remember.), I know it’s
time to start my spring cleaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I
know there are bajillions of better bloggers than me out there (<a href="http://www.thehandmadehome.net/2012/02/clean-mama-printables-a-giveaway/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://aprons-n-pearls.blogspot.com/2013/02/spring-cleaning.html" target="_blank">here</a>,
<a href="http://goodwifeinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/05/boto-cleaning-schedules.html" target="_blank">here</a>) detailing their extremely awesome spring cleaning schedules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not what this post is about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post is about getting your home cleaner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about cleaning things that are usually
overlooked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about learning some
gross facts that will motivate you into cleaning these overlooked things.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This week, I’m focusing on the bedrooms in my house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m talking specifically the beds themselves –
the pillows, the duvets and comforters, and the mattresses.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did you know, over their lifetime, pillows can absorb THREE
TIMES their weight in dust, dead skin cells, hair, sweat, bacteria and other
yuckies?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m sorry I had to share that with you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not really, you needed to know so you’d follow this tutorial
and wash your pillows.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
Keep in mind that down and polyester-filled pillows are the
easiest to wash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t attempt to
wash a memory foam pillow, just because I imagine lots of water getting trapped
in the foam and ending up with a moldy pillow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When in doubt, check the tag on your pillow.
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To wash your polyester or down-filled pillows, you don’t need
any special equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you’ll need
is detergent and a couple of tennis balls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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First up, remove any pillow cases, shams, and foofy whatnot
from your pillows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a before picture
and wonder why your pillows are always so flat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7oB-Q4_Xrw/UT86YDBFtAI/AAAAAAAACps/2pTz1r1vZLU/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Pillows before washing" border="0" height="254" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7oB-Q4_Xrw/UT86YDBFtAI/AAAAAAAACps/2pTz1r1vZLU/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+006.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oP5LkFSDYl0/UT9EGfXbpRI/AAAAAAAACtM/IRHpuyzP2kU/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Pepper on pillow" border="0" height="518" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oP5LkFSDYl0/UT9EGfXbpRI/AAAAAAAACtM/IRHpuyzP2kU/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+003.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm...I wonder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Get your washer started on these settings.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UNz62wZXlk/UT86YA_kBoI/AAAAAAAACp0/f744lPBbJWk/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Washer settings" border="0" height="373" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UNz62wZXlk/UT86YA_kBoI/AAAAAAAACp0/f744lPBbJWk/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+007.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
If your pillow is covered in those gross yellow (sweat)
marks, use the HOT setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZf189Dj8TSCU2Hggi6vaH7oPom4oPzapBa9JPBFmrfgSOTtlq43h6pGrp8_2B1m-AIrCxQesn-_8hMhfBnswNF92skaxj6IJkxGOQ-kckgPxRm9SvPg4kOQ-NR4bWFLVV8GMbrfWegafc/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms -Washer Speed" border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZf189Dj8TSCU2Hggi6vaH7oPom4oPzapBa9JPBFmrfgSOTtlq43h6pGrp8_2B1m-AIrCxQesn-_8hMhfBnswNF92skaxj6IJkxGOQ-kckgPxRm9SvPg4kOQ-NR4bWFLVV8GMbrfWegafc/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+008.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXUf8Nn1Tzphghn4MERRgEqknlWzOMdzPwzyqTUt4fwGLVPXU7JfLaTWXnsEEryzNEKOLUbM1tI1fhV-NBc7M0fsX0WixjdXaeDHWXlkZDSRK0L_98oZJYH0_ORD3zv9zCxLGlI7HqI-Z/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Washer Cycle" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXUf8Nn1Tzphghn4MERRgEqknlWzOMdzPwzyqTUt4fwGLVPXU7JfLaTWXnsEEryzNEKOLUbM1tI1fhV-NBc7M0fsX0WixjdXaeDHWXlkZDSRK0L_98oZJYH0_ORD3zv9zCxLGlI7HqI-Z/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+009.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a> </div>
Allow the washer to fill to about 1/3 full; and then add
your detergent and bleach if you’re using it
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBzE43wilCpX_wtTGS2oXO_R9Y1PnOnBQ9TPPJY2D72lJL0kymxhTjESXBt8HYKPhcbxfZ5ZWeHs3eTUYWsUwP9GvjlVVaAm4RaVO3Lg55xD8B5-qtSgQMqNsB27ycU-2kjYiOJCmosIr/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Washer 1/3 full with detergent" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBzE43wilCpX_wtTGS2oXO_R9Y1PnOnBQ9TPPJY2D72lJL0kymxhTjESXBt8HYKPhcbxfZ5ZWeHs3eTUYWsUwP9GvjlVVaAm4RaVO3Lg55xD8B5-qtSgQMqNsB27ycU-2kjYiOJCmosIr/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+011.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Give the washer some time to distribute the detergent and
break it down a bit and then shove your pillows in there like in the picture
below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll need two to balance out
the machine for a top-loading washer.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVE5WFt2aLA/UT86aVxmsxI/AAAAAAAACqc/XJkc0BC1vcU/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Pillows in washer" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVE5WFt2aLA/UT86aVxmsxI/AAAAAAAACqc/XJkc0BC1vcU/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+012.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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For a front-loading washer, skip the filling step (I guess
that’s kind of obvious, huh?) and put two pillows in the washer and let your machine
run on the settings above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Once your machine has completed the cycle, run it through a
second rinse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36PPCkjPOZs/UT86ajeBsSI/AAAAAAAACqk/wxrMrpd5VDM/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Washer 2nd Rinse Settings" border="0" height="542" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36PPCkjPOZs/UT86ajeBsSI/AAAAAAAACqk/wxrMrpd5VDM/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+013.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now that your pillows are nice and clean, they just need to
be dried.</div>
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Drop one tennis ball inside a knee sock, tie a knot in the
sock above the ball and then add a second ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tie another knot so that the sock looks like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll need one of these sock and ball contraptions
for each pillow you’re drying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RQgzR6gNoE/UT86bn0SUcI/AAAAAAAACq0/-2sXTYA8MJI/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Tennis balls tied into snowboard socks" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RQgzR6gNoE/UT86bn0SUcI/AAAAAAAACq0/-2sXTYA8MJI/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+016.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="498" /></a></div>
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The tennis balls beat the excess moisture out of pillow filling
and help fluff them up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a
couple of dryer balls, they could also be used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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Run the dryer through one Permanent Press/High Heat cycle
and continue until they’re dry. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KsOQ9pnBUZkhlTURg8XVY6AVOa-A1qhyphenhyphen3J911xf4H8mLg-cV-rsjmnD84A2W67S1RG_gZNLyHnL4IxD1bpx7nb17y62LDJRo1EfdTI7F9g8EsTUQensS5OaYduIfsWyDX7JlAq8hqSfi/s1600/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Dryer Settings" border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KsOQ9pnBUZkhlTURg8XVY6AVOa-A1qhyphenhyphen3J911xf4H8mLg-cV-rsjmnD84A2W67S1RG_gZNLyHnL4IxD1bpx7nb17y62LDJRo1EfdTI7F9g8EsTUQensS5OaYduIfsWyDX7JlAq8hqSfi/s640/Spring+Cleaning+-+Bedrooms+018.JPG" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Check out the difference between dirty and clean pillows! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcM4SBiLZKzXrMmuAu71Rq4OMTViNpYDmfNCaWQ4-6jdszIXuunm2yznx0DdBmXeUf5siULRt5HQLGl8ZU29bl7Wr4206SCJ8oMU8WNcgdJ5tS78h_ug-3kmENPsYWmm_kf60uOQgBNqWX/s1600/BeforeAfter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms - Before & After Pillow washing" border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcM4SBiLZKzXrMmuAu71Rq4OMTViNpYDmfNCaWQ4-6jdszIXuunm2yznx0DdBmXeUf5siULRt5HQLGl8ZU29bl7Wr4206SCJ8oMU8WNcgdJ5tS78h_ug-3kmENPsYWmm_kf60uOQgBNqWX/s640/BeforeAfter.jpg" title="Spring Cleaning: The Bedrooms | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-67387559037766354922013-03-13T08:00:00.000-04:002013-03-19T12:15:22.711-04:00Wedding Wednesday: The One Where I Make A BudgetIn the hopes of not completely saturating this blog with wedding garbage, I'm going to attempt to limit myself one day (Wednesday, because I adore alliteration) per week for wedding stuff. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xt3rJ5NROyE/UTofKAUps3I/AAAAAAAACo8/FjAUl9xoFwU/s1600/Wedding+Wednesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wedding Wednesday with Cute Junk I've Made Graphic" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xt3rJ5NROyE/UTofKAUps3I/AAAAAAAACo8/FjAUl9xoFwU/s1600/Wedding+Wednesday.jpg" title="Wedding Wednesday with Cute Junk I've Made" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm planning on doing a decent amount of DIY projects for this wedding that include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Will You Be My Bridesmaid Box (dress cookies, bridesmaid hangers, note insert)</li>
<li>Save-the-Dates</li>
<li>Invitations (design and putting them together)</li>
<li>Programs</li>
<li>Reception Signage (menus, table numbers, escort cards)</li>
<li>Centerpieces</li>
<li>Fabric bouquets and boutonnieres - If we're being honest, this may never happen, depending on how good my fabric flower creating skills are</li>
<li>Favors (stickers, cookie display)</li>
<li>Bridal accessories (headpiece, bling-y belt/sash)</li>
<li>Out of Town Guest gift bags (door hangers, map, other?) </li>
<li>Other??</li>
</ul>
I'm deluding myself and saying that since we have roughly 18 months until the "big day," that I can easily complete every single one of these projects.<br />
<br />
I've read too many <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/" target="_blank">Wedding Bee</a> posts to think this is even remotely true, but damned if I'm not going to try! <br />
<br />
In any case, I've recently started looking into...well...everything. And I am beyond overwhelmed at how much everything costs!<br />
<br />
I know every bride says this.<br />
<br />
So, being the list-making, perfectionist, a-type person I am, I knew before we could do anything, even before we started a guest list, we needed to make a <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8d_REuXLZCOcjJmdVctQzNpMnM/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">budget</a>. <br />
<br />
I made an Excel spreadsheet that included every single expense I could think of associated with a wedding, right down to my 3 days before cooter waxing.<br />
<br />
Once I did that, I separated everything into groups, added a couple of formulas and ta-da! My wedding budget spreadsheet was born!<br />
<br />
The great thing about this spreadsheet is that I can keep track of <i>everything</i> in it. <br />
<br />
There's a tab for the budget, which keeps track of every expense and there's even a column that calculates when each item should be completed. <br />
<br />
There's a tab for the guest list, which includes columns to enter each guest's address to create a mail merge for addressing envelopes. There are also extra columns to keep track of received RSVPs.<br />
<br />
And since I love you, I'm going to share this gorgeous Excel work of art with every single one of you! Feel free to make changes to it to suit your needs. To update the "Appt Made" column, change the wedding date at the very top (A2) to your date. Everything else will populate itself. Technology at its finest!<br />
<br />
To download the budget spreadsheet for yourself <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8d_REuXLZCOcjJmdVctQzNpMnM/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br />
<br />
If you use the spreadsheet, let me know how it works for you! If there's something I blatantly missed, <a href="mailto:cutejunkivemade@gmail.com" target="_blank">shoot me a message</a> or leave a comment and I'll be glad to update it!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.pandora.com/station/1005526353306881324" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Background Noise for This Project: Ed Sheeran/Cher Lloyd Pandora Station </span></span></i></a>Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-8001814889489005792013-03-01T08:00:00.000-05:002013-03-05T08:38:55.483-05:00Birthday Cake Marshmallows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYbJg8_LZGY/US0et4yknyI/AAAAAAAACnQ/HX-sYle-Rjo/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+Cover+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYbJg8_LZGY/US0et4yknyI/AAAAAAAACnQ/HX-sYle-Rjo/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+Cover+Image.jpg" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Ok, let's get this out in the open right now. I LOVE marshmallows. I think this love stems from when I was a kid and my Mom would use marshmallows as a bribe to get me to take my ear infection medicine.<br />
<br />
On an unrelated note - was I the only kid to get ear infections constantly? I remember at one point my Doctor telling me that I was not allowed to have any more ear infections because he was tired of treating me.<br />
<br />
Maybe I made that up. I was an imaginative kid.<br />
<br />
So anyways, I found <a href="http://www.spicyicecream.com.au/2012/06/birthday-cake-marshmallows.html" target="_blank">this</a> recipe on Pinterest while Dude and I were in Arizona and it's been on my to-do list ever since. Last weekend, I picked up a candy thermometer and I knew it was marshmallow time; and can I say, this recipe does not disappoint. The marshmallows turn out light and fluffy, with just the right amount of cake flavor.<br />
<br />
If you want to make them yourself, here's what you'll need:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzLadrFG-VZ7vJvZWQMpv_PSmpqVYc3Z57kxWEJFWD8BRZ4GpxFA9kD3Fx3yiWkwbZyhzBAt6oPxahm11l9zWZtlJm8kw52gqv_Dv5OG2fb9UY-Xs1TELbma5zhDoYGaEPSPNV71RlcRt/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Supplies & Ingredients" border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzLadrFG-VZ7vJvZWQMpv_PSmpqVYc3Z57kxWEJFWD8BRZ4GpxFA9kD3Fx3yiWkwbZyhzBAt6oPxahm11l9zWZtlJm8kw52gqv_Dv5OG2fb9UY-Xs1TELbma5zhDoYGaEPSPNV71RlcRt/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+001.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>2x 1 cup of caster sugar (I'll show you how to make your own out of granulated sugar) </li>
<li>2x 2 teaspoons of light corn syrup</li>
<li>2x 1 tablespoon of gelatine powder</li>
<li>2x 1 large egg whites</li>
<li>2 Tbs vanilla cake mix, sifted</li>
<li>4 Tbs chocolate cake mix, sifted</li>
<li>Sprinkles</li>
<li>Candy thermometer</li>
<li>Vegetable oil or spray butter for greasing</li>
<li>Icing sugar for dusting finished marshmallows</li>
</ul>
I made my marshmallows in two layers - a "cake" and a "frosting" layer. If you don't want to go through the trouble, or if you're a marshmallow racist and don't like chocolate or vanilla, you can just make one thick layer in the flavor of your choice. The directions below are to make two layers.<br />
<br />
First up, cover a 9x9 pan with parchment paper and grease it really well. I used a vegetable oil spray, but I think a butter spray or straight butter or vegetable oil would work just fine.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9cjvqHcoj4U/US0eYvv-tfI/AAAAAAAACl4/XpoqAC1kVOg/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Greased pan" border="0" height="552" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9cjvqHcoj4U/US0eYvv-tfI/AAAAAAAACl4/XpoqAC1kVOg/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+005.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
If you live in a hick town like me and can't find caster sugar anywhere, don't fret! Caster sugar is just superfine sugar and you can make it by throwing regular granulated sugar in a food processor for a couple minutes.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cST_p_FCdeQ/US0eYj0DnzI/AAAAAAAACl8/D3puy3fYY4E/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Sugar in food processor" border="0" height="518" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cST_p_FCdeQ/US0eYj0DnzI/AAAAAAAACl8/D3puy3fYY4E/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+006.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
To be honest, I don't think this step is 100% essential, but the perfectionist in me struggles to not follow a recipe exactly.<br />
<br />
So the next step is to melt together 1 cup of your sugar and 2tsp of corn syrup with 100ml of water. Why 100ml? Because that's what my inspiration recipe called for and I can't do conversions.<br />
<br />
Last time I attempted to convert something from metric to US, I used a half-gallon of milk in a recipe that was really calling for close to a quart.<br />
<br />
So now that we can agree I'm an idiot. Dump 1 cup of your sugar into a saucepan.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3Dj8u87AMk/US0ebSmUkxI/AAAAAAAACek/E-0F3XDvHLc/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Sugar in saucepan" border="0" height="550" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3Dj8u87AMk/US0ebSmUkxI/AAAAAAAACek/E-0F3XDvHLc/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+015.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Then add two teaspoons of corn syrup.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iIaKfuFJU3A/US0eczes9yI/AAAAAAAACfM/OPtq8Aaxgl0/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Corn syrup and sugar in saucepan" border="0" height="534" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iIaKfuFJU3A/US0eczes9yI/AAAAAAAACfM/OPtq8Aaxgl0/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+021.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And 100ml of water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyCKaP70Jopz-97L1bFWKeyXSBf9Zr6H69XFH1Zx52FngRyoI-IDe7RDfhupsrf3CJc-nPeq4uez9O_yRYiby-Thia8dfWXZVr1D_1cGqhCx0d26UOTAf_sOVqAEedDrLhW2Jp637FQLB/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - 100ml water" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyCKaP70Jopz-97L1bFWKeyXSBf9Zr6H69XFH1Zx52FngRyoI-IDe7RDfhupsrf3CJc-nPeq4uez9O_yRYiby-Thia8dfWXZVr1D_1cGqhCx0d26UOTAf_sOVqAEedDrLhW2Jp637FQLB/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+009.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
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Set the burner to low and simmer until all of the sugar is melted. <br />
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While you're waiting, measure out 100ml of water and pour it into a small bowl and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of plain gelatine over the top and let it sit while your sugar melts. This ended up being roughly a packet and a half for me.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qEWUKYDoUB8/US0eaVN0i2I/AAAAAAAACeU/nVkF123E9Xo/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Gelatine in water" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qEWUKYDoUB8/US0eaVN0i2I/AAAAAAAACeU/nVkF123E9Xo/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+012.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once the sugar has melted, break out your candy thermometer and clip it to the side of the saucepan. Increase the heat to medium high and boil until the temperature reaches 250° F.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToNcsUJO34P6hp7sjx4ggllQpfe_hlFIQYLIs5ccsxmwiLibWb7Hf2M5ceLLhsF55p0X48k90zyOIOUCPM9n3r9nxYyHgwm8GYqGj9KoJLcPMrcTuxkkIhLde5pA9NfiM5HHCl1j0cUE-/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Candy Thermometer" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToNcsUJO34P6hp7sjx4ggllQpfe_hlFIQYLIs5ccsxmwiLibWb7Hf2M5ceLLhsF55p0X48k90zyOIOUCPM9n3r9nxYyHgwm8GYqGj9KoJLcPMrcTuxkkIhLde5pA9NfiM5HHCl1j0cUE-/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+030.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="364" /></a></div>
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When the temperature reaches 250°, immediately remove the pan from the heat and set it to the side while you complete the next step.<br />
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Separate one large egg white and pour it into the bowl of a stand mixer. You can still make this recipe if you don't have a stand mixer, it'll just take a bit longer. <br />
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Plus, think of how ripped your guns will be if you use a hand mixer.<br />
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Start the mixer at medium speed.<br />
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While the mixer is going, pour the now jiggly gelatine and water goo to the hot sugar mix.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sw7rBxsb_0/US0eeWzoKqI/AAAAAAAACgE/UYOpZCmz9cI/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Gelatine and water solidified" border="0" height="626" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sw7rBxsb_0/US0eeWzoKqI/AAAAAAAACgE/UYOpZCmz9cI/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+032.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
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Whisk them together until smooth.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oske7PA1BY/US0eevBG_xI/AAAAAAAACf0/2-ZavvGoE-4/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Whisking gelatine and sugar together" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oske7PA1BY/US0eevBG_xI/AAAAAAAACf0/2-ZavvGoE-4/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+033.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Time to start moving, the sugar/gelatine mix will start to get super sticky and gooey pretty quickly. <br />
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Bump up the speed on your mixer to high and gradually add the hot sugar mixture to your egg. <br />
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Really slowly kids, unless you want to try scrambled egg marshmallows.<br />
<br />
Wait, we may be on to something...savory marshmallows... Someone else try this and tell me how it goes.<br />
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Beat the egg and sugar until it's glossy and white. This took me probably 3 or 4 minutes. With a hand mixer, I imagine it will take closer to 6-8 minutes. (Think of your ripped biceps! So worth it!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84mxLFMy04W5i77Lf8Hj9MdhzM-eqXY6WOuVVPec3O4f_7_YuRSQcxqMiVQa1NpIHcKGZejzQEirazkDPDokIGwFwxdNlZXuYqXJ-N96WtIDts4CfLT_lv4cNNzmG93sl8BIfyZikwmhJ/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Mixing egg white, stand mixer" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84mxLFMy04W5i77Lf8Hj9MdhzM-eqXY6WOuVVPec3O4f_7_YuRSQcxqMiVQa1NpIHcKGZejzQEirazkDPDokIGwFwxdNlZXuYqXJ-N96WtIDts4CfLT_lv4cNNzmG93sl8BIfyZikwmhJ/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+038.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
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When the stuff in your mixer bowl starts to look like marshmallow fluff, turn the mixer off and fold in 2 tablespoons of sifted white cake mix. You can always add more if you want a more "cakey" flavor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KfhS0KLg3khVFMCgMm9TTAEu2M5F176LvvYMTixev5Ubrudcg2YJSgJGYtwwJHA50F729YcGeaqrwWtcXaOpEIENbTkBgsY9qhfeaDH9jELwR4EW79hQvtAxyLB4yydGXiJEPt7nAxCI/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Vanilla cake mix, measured" border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KfhS0KLg3khVFMCgMm9TTAEu2M5F176LvvYMTixev5Ubrudcg2YJSgJGYtwwJHA50F729YcGeaqrwWtcXaOpEIENbTkBgsY9qhfeaDH9jELwR4EW79hQvtAxyLB4yydGXiJEPt7nAxCI/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+041.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then fold in as many sprinkles as you want. I added 3 tablespoons.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JevHgwmFWVA/US0ehFZJZTI/AAAAAAAACmg/9md0696auDo/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Sprinkles in marshmallow" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JevHgwmFWVA/US0ehFZJZTI/AAAAAAAACmg/9md0696auDo/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+043.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pour the gooey marshmallow fluff into your prepared pan and put it in the fridge while you make the chocolate layer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVgVIYKsRasOPwXwYcMp1xDl9M60H-Di8rlmrIKjLCKVSWlQIQgjzbuq-MrtBApMGJ0k9nDJZ93VUfOmzO3CDDp4HFy16RAxZ_dFQ5QQOK94Oeh0XYSuJdOTfSAB5bqZfsyRBaKVvFj0N/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Mixed vanilla marshmallow in pan" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVgVIYKsRasOPwXwYcMp1xDl9M60H-Di8rlmrIKjLCKVSWlQIQgjzbuq-MrtBApMGJ0k9nDJZ93VUfOmzO3CDDp4HFy16RAxZ_dFQ5QQOK94Oeh0XYSuJdOTfSAB5bqZfsyRBaKVvFj0N/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+045.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
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Rinse and Repeat to make the chocolate layer.<br />
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Combine 1 cup of sugar, 2 teaspoons of corn syrup and 100ml of water. Heat over low heat until the sugar is melted.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMDBLWyr4P0/US0efybqgPI/AAAAAAAACgQ/gFFPe5ms5C4/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Melted sugar, water and corn syrup" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMDBLWyr4P0/US0efybqgPI/AAAAAAAACgQ/gFFPe5ms5C4/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+036.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, measure out 100ml of water again and pour it in a small bowl. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of gelatine over the water and let it sit while your sugar melts.<br />
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When the sugar is melted, bump the heat up and boil until a candy thermometer reads 250° F.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2R8Qryleqz8/US0ed8ib2lI/AAAAAAAACfk/-NMt3lRfYes/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Sugar water boiling" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2R8Qryleqz8/US0ed8ib2lI/AAAAAAAACfk/-NMt3lRfYes/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+029.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="552" /></a></div>
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After that, immediately remove from the heat. Separate an egg white and put it in your stand mixer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_uAqbghcOw/US0effH-O9I/AAAAAAAACgA/r8i9CgPWc_Y/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - mixing egg white take 2" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_uAqbghcOw/US0effH-O9I/AAAAAAAACgA/r8i9CgPWc_Y/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+035.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
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Whisk the gelatine into the hot sugar; and when it is smooth, gradually add it to the mixing bowl with the egg white.<br />
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Let that sucker mix until you have a big old bowl of marshmallow fluff. Or work your arms again. Then you have a free pass to not feel guilty about licking the beaters and the spatula.<br />
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Actually I used a stand mixer and I will never feel guilty about licking the spatula. That's just a rule I live by. <br />
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Then add in your sifted chocolate cake mix.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mThvcYuv7TM/US0eiqbzduI/AAAAAAAAChM/aN80FuNV4-Q/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Sifting chocolate cake mix" border="0" height="522" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mThvcYuv7TM/US0eiqbzduI/AAAAAAAAChM/aN80FuNV4-Q/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+047.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the tiny-ass bowl I was using here to sift the cake mix. If you look closely, you can see the giant-ass mess I made on the counter underneath it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pour the chocolate marshmallow layer on top of the vanilla layer and put it back in the fridge to chill overnight.<br />
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Now, avoid turning around and looking at your kitchen for as long as you can. And when you do, just know that I feel your pain. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy4wsHFK-c_NZVuXpDHguqXnm-6p6BQi096eKYbJsxVZwA4iyFs_3s82FiR6Nx31Pn2ZQ67gGZqz3JM6gR-gHQ1yAR4vt3_CHH3saacEDBJSXuLR65j5APo17EgncHKOVHK_Byu6XGvax/s1600/Messy+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Messy kitchen" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy4wsHFK-c_NZVuXpDHguqXnm-6p6BQi096eKYbJsxVZwA4iyFs_3s82FiR6Nx31Pn2ZQ67gGZqz3JM6gR-gHQ1yAR4vt3_CHH3saacEDBJSXuLR65j5APo17EgncHKOVHK_Byu6XGvax/s640/Messy+Kitchen.jpg" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="448" /></a></div>
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When the marshmallows are good and chilly, you are less than an hour away from all the marshmallowy goodness you can handle.<br />
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The next steps are to cut the marshmallows and give them a light coat of powdered sugar to keep them from sticking together. You can do this by either individually rolling each cut marshmallow in a bowl of powdered sugar... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2kJn22ZgN-Q94phJToiGHhxnniNDVxgpN08zr3i4-W-yLvO1JuSPxMz8QC8x6AqjQzX6XAGgdX_2fMXKzSkeKlN70I38BgGx774YZJOvjyz6ORhWJkMI1nF2I7MHcTSAzUK1_IiAcvfZ/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Mallows in powdered sugar bath" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2kJn22ZgN-Q94phJToiGHhxnniNDVxgpN08zr3i4-W-yLvO1JuSPxMz8QC8x6AqjQzX6XAGgdX_2fMXKzSkeKlN70I38BgGx774YZJOvjyz6ORhWJkMI1nF2I7MHcTSAzUK1_IiAcvfZ/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+061.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="508" /></a></div>
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...or put a little powdered sugar in a plastic bag and dump all your cut marshmallows in there and shake it up.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irLC2MXZbjA/US0erVe2YFI/AAAAAAAACjk/fTsxXrA1lmw/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - shaking up mallows" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irLC2MXZbjA/US0erVe2YFI/AAAAAAAACjk/fTsxXrA1lmw/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+072.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="462" /></a></div>
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You can cut your square of marshmallows however you like with a greased knife, but Dude and I found that spraying some spray butter on a pizza cutter was by far the simplest method.<br />
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Set your cut and powdered marshmallows on a baking sheet and leave them to dry for an hour.<br />
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I know, I know, longest 60 minutes of your life.<br />
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To be honest, I didn't taste any difference between the marshmallows straight out of the powdered sugar and the ones that had dried for an hour and the ones that sat in the fridge for 3 days so all you rebels out there, feel free to disregard this final step.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzPCg5Kpd6X9PcsU1HGV5wy5ZMs1tHeU99Ivw-MifhDhKo8rnDmt2rsaoPeRckDz-9_W5Vmp_fWtQoo_QAQ_smyFtsqeaN1rars2RqkbtHk26_uoyJeNx06CObE_3tbYvDY2B-fZt0AB4/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Finished marshmallows" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzPCg5Kpd6X9PcsU1HGV5wy5ZMs1tHeU99Ivw-MifhDhKo8rnDmt2rsaoPeRckDz-9_W5Vmp_fWtQoo_QAQ_smyFtsqeaN1rars2RqkbtHk26_uoyJeNx06CObE_3tbYvDY2B-fZt0AB4/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+077.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="474" /></a></div>
<br />
In the name of science, I decided to make a s'more out of these marshmallows. Check out what happens when you heat up homemade marshmallows.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3o5NgD-_8o1UFWVtZf_o95PHRun0QWG3OrLzRUeWbv0kuzmS3V2mxd-B5iFAhlUrfPknfXhWsNw-mHZI4w7_auSbNJ-PpPtKSYIFm5WSCjuBLs1VwfUabjMmYqWuSwSCT-JVOKMWOcTGN/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Melting marshmallow" border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3o5NgD-_8o1UFWVtZf_o95PHRun0QWG3OrLzRUeWbv0kuzmS3V2mxd-B5iFAhlUrfPknfXhWsNw-mHZI4w7_auSbNJ-PpPtKSYIFm5WSCjuBLs1VwfUabjMmYqWuSwSCT-JVOKMWOcTGN/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+082.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="640" /></a></div>
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Still good, just not really gooey like a store-bought marshmallow.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92y1Wfg1MeQ/US0ewQXmP9I/AAAAAAAAClU/gLUmBQfFcCo/s1600/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Birthday Cake Marshmallows - Half-Eaten S'more" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92y1Wfg1MeQ/US0ewQXmP9I/AAAAAAAAClU/gLUmBQfFcCo/s640/Birthday+Cake+Marshmallows+086.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Birthday Cake Marshmallows" width="608" /></a></div>
Worth every calorie.<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Background Noise for this Project: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Cards_%28U.S._TV_series%29" target="_blank">House of Cards - Season 1, Episode 10: Chapter 10</a></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Linking up <span style="font-size: small;">here:<a href="http://www.shakentogetherlife.com/search/label/%7Bwhat%27s%20shakin%27%20link%20party%7D"><br />
<img alt="Shaken Together" height="150" src="http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j392/shakentogether/whatsshakin1.png" width="150" /> </a><a href="http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w351/laurenjh04/buttonashtor200.jpg" /></a><br /><br />
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</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<!--end button code box--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></span>Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-21106654411583339732013-02-05T13:26:00.002-05:002013-02-11T10:56:34.708-05:00The Cherpumple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPWKCG9g_qt7doszhFa6AbHVFKiGcec1BAdh6n7lfQyxebCciuqqSj1JQNUbhyphenhyphenNLrKxNALxcZ4Lw2ILDuoZ7XZIT1bvsCy1dHrbQqGVRt65gkRL9YH7cZQt8rlBUU3C7XsNm3eG5GwLXa/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Title+Image+Second+Option.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Title Image" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPWKCG9g_qt7doszhFa6AbHVFKiGcec1BAdh6n7lfQyxebCciuqqSj1JQNUbhyphenhyphenNLrKxNALxcZ4Lw2ILDuoZ7XZIT1bvsCy1dHrbQqGVRt65gkRL9YH7cZQt8rlBUU3C7XsNm3eG5GwLXa/s640/Cherpumple+-+Title+Image+Second+Option.jpg" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Warning: This post may give you diabetes. </i><br />
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Guys, I am so darn excited to share this - my greatest baking accomplishment - ridiculously amazing dessert with you.<br />
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For anyone out of the loop here - a cherpumple is what I call "The Inception Dessert." It is 3 different pies, each pie is then baked into 3 separate kinds of cake. Then the three layers are stacked on top of each other and covered with icing. A dessert inside of a dessert, if you will.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.charlesphoenix.com/2010/10/cherpumple-monster-pie-cake-new-test-kitchen-video/" target="_blank">original cherpumple</a>, created by Charles Phoenix, is a cherry pie baked into a white cake, a pumpkin pie baked into a spice cake, and an apple pie baked into a yellow cake.<br />
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We stayed pretty true to the recipe, with one minor change - we baked the cherry pie into a chocolate cake. To be honest, I can't believe my buddy Charlie up there didn't come up with that himself. I mean, what goes better with berry than chocolate??<br />
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So the idea of a cherpumple first started making its rounds in my head while we were in Phoenix. Long story short, we talked about it a lot but never made it. But, on the plane home, Dude and I talked a bit and realized the cherpumple wouldn't be as massive of a project if you enlisted two other people and had them each bake a layer! So when we got home, we assembled our crew! Enter Chris and Jody.<br />
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So, on Super Bowl (am I allowed to say that?) Sunday, we created the cherpumple. Chris and Jody were amazing and assembled the chocolate/cherry and yellow/apple layers, so I only have pictures of the spice/pumpkin layer being created, but you'll get the idea.<br />
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So, first things first. Get ready to spend some serious money on this cake, because you're going to need:<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6cKxWLmP4E/URAi_Ci4xqI/AAAAAAAACX4/lyE1TEduyUQ/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Supplies+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Icing, pan, and mixer" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6cKxWLmP4E/URAi_Ci4xqI/AAAAAAAACX4/lyE1TEduyUQ/s640/Cherpumple+-+Supplies+1.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="640" /></a><br />
<ul>
<li>1 8" pumpkin pie (I used frozen)</li>
<li>1 8" apple pie (they used fresh, with a pie crust top, not crumb)</li>
<li>1 8" cherry pie (they used fresh)</li>
<li>1 box of chocolate cake mix</li>
<li>1 box of white or yellow cake mix</li>
<li>1 box of spice cake mix</li>
<li>3 tubs of cream cheese (or your favorite) frosing</li>
<li>3 (or 1 rotating) 9" Springform pan</li>
<li>Probably a half-dozen eggs, a couple of cups of oil and some water for the cake mixes</li>
</ul>
If you bought frozen pies, the first step is to bake those pies and let them cool down to room temperature. I baked my pie the night before and let it cool overnight in the fridge. <br />
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Once your pies are cool, start preparing your cake mix. Mix it up in whatever way the directions on the box call for. I used 1/8th cup less water and oil than the box mix called for, thinking it would help the cake hold up a little better.<br />
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I think it did hold up marginally better than the other cakes, but my cakepie was also on the top and not holding any weight, so that obviously could have played a big part.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iA5OudDR8Y/URAi_qHzBLI/AAAAAAAACYE/TD2mXEqcbgw/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Cake+Mix+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - cake mix" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iA5OudDR8Y/URAi_qHzBLI/AAAAAAAACYE/TD2mXEqcbgw/s640/Cherpumple+-+Cake+Mix+2.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="640" /></a></div>
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So your cake is all mixed. Now grease the crap out of your Springform pan. I used Pam; and if you have parchment paper, I would recommend placing a circle of parchment paper on the bottom of the pan. Then, pour enough batter into the pan to just cover the bottom, roughly a cup and a quarter to a cup and a half. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeFQKlQ7C5JDcJVboP5J-d5AfOCE6q62RcVypl7xo0zP8BkhLA7jrYnfKffn-jWpWD5BlL0o-QajoUJtpnb7yrJw6T9UOaBmuGpZYUyQXLfLFZILDebxz3RRCvc7Vyx-g3TfO4nYUVxDg/s1600/Cherpumple++-+Poured.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - cake mix in the bottom of the pan" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeFQKlQ7C5JDcJVboP5J-d5AfOCE6q62RcVypl7xo0zP8BkhLA7jrYnfKffn-jWpWD5BlL0o-QajoUJtpnb7yrJw6T9UOaBmuGpZYUyQXLfLFZILDebxz3RRCvc7Vyx-g3TfO4nYUVxDg/s640/Cherpumple++-+Poured.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="634" /></a></div>
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Grab a helper so you can take pictures and have them remove the foil pan from your pie. I'm sure I don't need to tell you how essential this step is. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYSoMUmWHlWsEWEwmpIYnBjuchc7PS1aFBD-L_8un5QNYgTee3KV6PrrQmrlUAhiZ4HC8E8Vs9r6salw1stSttjmwCMADdweIAkL4wb3Y7x_xcElBR979Y9zaR8C7Tm0dJviUeLsVYUdC/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Remove+Pie+Pan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Removing foil pan from pie" border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYSoMUmWHlWsEWEwmpIYnBjuchc7PS1aFBD-L_8un5QNYgTee3KV6PrrQmrlUAhiZ4HC8E8Vs9r6salw1stSttjmwCMADdweIAkL4wb3Y7x_xcElBR979Y9zaR8C7Tm0dJviUeLsVYUdC/s640/Cherpumple+-+Remove+Pie+Pan+1.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="640" /></a></div>
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Gently place the pie into your pan and wiggle it around by the crust to help settle it in.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJWQ9lcm-8A/URAjBOLv7ZI/AAAAAAAACYY/F4kFajxVTqw/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Pie+Into+Springform.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cherpumple - setting pie into pan" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJWQ9lcm-8A/URAjBOLv7ZI/AAAAAAAACYY/F4kFajxVTqw/s640/Cherpumple+-+Pie+Into+Springform.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, he has the nicest hands, doesn't he?? Look at those nails!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I should also mention another crucial step here - have your helper take a spoonful of the pie from the middle just to make sure it tastes right.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMdkxcc4KAI/URAjBtCsPMI/AAAAAAAACYg/6htoleFFwEQ/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Bite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Pumpkin pie in spice cake batter, missing bite" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMdkxcc4KAI/URAjBtCsPMI/AAAAAAAACYg/6htoleFFwEQ/s640/Cherpumple+-+Bite.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="638" /></a></div>
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Once your pie is situated, start pouring the remaining cake batter into the pan. I started by pouring some around the edges and then over the top until it looked like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scsWrpvvyT4/URAjCvtz3mI/AAAAAAAACYw/KA6jGzd8Des/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Batter+Around+Pie+Top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Pie covered with spice cake batter" border="0" height="630" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scsWrpvvyT4/URAjCvtz3mI/AAAAAAAACYw/KA6jGzd8Des/s640/Cherpumple+-+Batter+Around+Pie+Top.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had enough batter left over to make 10 cupcakes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_7Q7WUojJ0fLycAQBrnXnNXzHGNFjQyzjn0bR7srYywwnSL-ufLzhfRYhpJNB93m7sxmpLwGmr43w3outFD-Byf-c-eoZA8RCyWOfD8Mij7m3oQVn49KsRbwd1i4R1tqGAvTb3587ZRE/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Extra+Batter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Leftover batter cupcakes" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_7Q7WUojJ0fLycAQBrnXnNXzHGNFjQyzjn0bR7srYywwnSL-ufLzhfRYhpJNB93m7sxmpLwGmr43w3outFD-Byf-c-eoZA8RCyWOfD8Mij7m3oQVn49KsRbwd1i4R1tqGAvTb3587ZRE/s640/Cherpumple+-+Extra+Batter.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="610" /></a></div>
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Now it's time to bake this bad mammajamma. Let me tell you up front, it is going to take a looooonggg time. Ignore the box and set your timer for an hour. Check it every 5 or 10 minutes after that until the cake no longer jiggles in the middle.<br />
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The total baking time for my spice/pumpkin layer was an hour and 20 minutes. I know it feels like your cake is burning and going to be rock hard, but I promise you it won't.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HxBN909v_SE/URAjD-wbQUI/AAAAAAAACZA/1PMOJM8ZKNg/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Baked+Layer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Baked spice/pumpkin layer" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HxBN909v_SE/URAjD-wbQUI/AAAAAAAACZA/1PMOJM8ZKNg/s640/Cherpumple+-+Baked+Layer.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the spice/pumpkin layer after baking. You can see the edges look a little well-done, but they were not crispy whatsoever.<br />
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If you're making all these layers yourself, repeat these steps two more times with the cherry and apple pies. Or, if you're lucky like me, set your cakepie somewhere (mine went outside in the snow) to cool and wait for your friends to bring their layers!<br />
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Before assembling your cherpumple, make sure every layer is at least room temperature. Chris and Jody's was refrigerated overnight and like I said above, mine was outside in the snow, so it wouldn't hurt for them to be cooler than room temperature.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIf_QXGRIxWTcnUzWB-ALs6TkrjakFUYhLIv9hOMYB4ZJBbr3sE6d_I_2LVzabRHRnp7Hbir6-bqAcaxQiTr1t4KcaFREbF2yljIaX3K5dpz2LtOtvugqCBr114fyqCgN1kqCb-O5bHq2l/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Three+Layers+Together.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cherpumple - All three layers on counter" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIf_QXGRIxWTcnUzWB-ALs6TkrjakFUYhLIv9hOMYB4ZJBbr3sE6d_I_2LVzabRHRnp7Hbir6-bqAcaxQiTr1t4KcaFREbF2yljIaX3K5dpz2LtOtvugqCBr114fyqCgN1kqCb-O5bHq2l/s640/Cherpumple+-+Three+Layers+Together.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Chocolate/Cherry, Yellow/Apple, Spice/Pumpkin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When you're ready to assemble, remove the outer circles of your Springform pans and grab a giant plate and start stacking your layers.<br />
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The easiest way we found to transfer the first layer is to flip the first cakepie layer upside down onto your (clean!) palm. Remove the pan bottom - if it's a little sticky, you can do what we did and wiggle a flexible plastic cutting board in between the pan bottom and the cake - and put the plate face down onto the bottom of your cake.<br />
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I didn't take a picture of this step but here's a crudely Photoshopped diagram:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVytRSjINfU/URFDrZ_ncoI/AAAAAAAACcs/4EZMWN0txxk/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Hand+Diagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Flipping first layer diagram" border="0" height="410" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVytRSjINfU/URFDrZ_ncoI/AAAAAAAACcs/4EZMWN0txxk/s640/Cherpumple+-+Hand+Diagram.jpg" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10234386/" target="_blank">Plate</a> <a href="http://livelearnloveeat.com/2010/10/09/" target="_blank">Cake</a> <a href="http://www.mysticboard.com/palmistry_reading_forum/70747-request_for_a_hand_analysis_reading.html" target="_blank">Hand</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, keeping your palm on the top of the cake, flip everything over. Plop some icing in the middle, spread it out, and you're ready for the second layer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6zi6RctamCXXHLS4wMSgDzGMGiVjT0lRTnfIVVU8kPm2H0tvA4JQp18NQk2R6Q5hWjACH06mSoEAKVd-r4KxDBKyRJHSvlvzgD9c0ENZXRXVxbnINZ2M1Dn1OUSHVHJZa5whPnrn5UUk/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Bottom+Layer+with+Frosting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Bottom layer with icing" border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6zi6RctamCXXHLS4wMSgDzGMGiVjT0lRTnfIVVU8kPm2H0tvA4JQp18NQk2R6Q5hWjACH06mSoEAKVd-r4KxDBKyRJHSvlvzgD9c0ENZXRXVxbnINZ2M1Dn1OUSHVHJZa5whPnrn5UUk/s640/Cherpumple+-+Bottom+Layer+with+Frosting.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="640" /></a></div>
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Follow the same procedure for your second layer, except instead of bringing the plate to your cakepie layer, bring the layer to the plate.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkomuZl4u-A/URAjFIlC64I/AAAAAAAACZc/R7YKyKAMl64/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Second+Layer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - second layer on plate" border="0" height="462" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkomuZl4u-A/URAjFIlC64I/AAAAAAAACZc/R7YKyKAMl64/s640/Cherpumple+-+Second+Layer.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="640" /></a></div>
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Add more icing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aw2EfHTsOEo/URAjFiWTbBI/AAAAAAAACZk/mEtWmcoZzOo/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Frosting+Second+Layer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - second layer with icing" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aw2EfHTsOEo/URAjFiWTbBI/AAAAAAAACZk/mEtWmcoZzOo/s640/Cherpumple+-+Frosting+Second+Layer.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="540" /></a></div>
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Repeat one last time for the final layer. We used the spice/pumpkin cakepie as the top layer because pumpkin was the only pie that didn't have a crust top, thus, in theory, making it less stable. Who knows if this is really true.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-re5BByNRdnc/URAjGJ20OlI/AAAAAAAACZs/NIy_f9MZTEU/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Third+Layer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - All three layers stacked" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-re5BByNRdnc/URAjGJ20OlI/AAAAAAAACZs/NIy_f9MZTEU/s640/Cherpumple+-+Third+Layer.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="636" /></a></div>
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Now spread icing all over the entire cake. Don't be shy, you're going to save yourself a negligible amount of calories if you skimp on the icing. We used all three tubs of icing and to be honest, I think it was the perfect amount. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w41dgwtUWrk/URAjHPSW_nI/AAAAAAAACZ8/LEuM5GvXkts/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Frosted.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cherpumple - All three layers iced" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w41dgwtUWrk/URAjHPSW_nI/AAAAAAAACZ8/LEuM5GvXkts/s640/Cherpumple+-+Frosted.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="586" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somehow, I don't think cake decorating is in our future...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So once everything is iced, step back and appreciate your work for a second. Then go grab the scale and see how heavy it is!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwW1_ulAx-bSY_mfoJpco61wNuhnvjL0hqI2KNFVzaSFQNNq8pBH36YQjTeVhyHww7XIBhrhc3rLWE39mAK2lrkGd_9z-tvSaShFfmLUIzZFIC9tXMcWtn_8HTxeEWyaijjIEo6BHWtz3U/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Weight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Weighing finished product - 15lbs!" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwW1_ulAx-bSY_mfoJpco61wNuhnvjL0hqI2KNFVzaSFQNNq8pBH36YQjTeVhyHww7XIBhrhc3rLWE39mAK2lrkGd_9z-tvSaShFfmLUIzZFIC9tXMcWtn_8HTxeEWyaijjIEo6BHWtz3U/s640/Cherpumple+-+Weight.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="480" /></a></div>
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Uh yeah, that says 15 pounds of cherpumple... That is including the plate; but to be fair, the plate alone didn't register on the scale.<br />
<br />
So anyways, I know you are dying to cut into this thing, but please trust me when I tell you to let it chill for at least an hour. We put ours outside - until Chris wondered out loud what was keeping raccoons and squirrels from sampling it - mainly because it was easier and partially because I don't think it would have fit in the fridge. <br />
<br />
So go occupy yourself for an hour. Maybe spend that hour on the treadmill or something so you won't feel bad about eating a slice of the cherpumple later.<br />
<br />
Once an hour has passed, get your plates ready! We used the longest knife we had to cut this and didn't have an inch to spare.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqMWG2mS1-LfKXfAwEN_wYJZyCT9RbPsm0TGh2R9Mnjk_CqSU_ghKOk5jMz_qViVlEkukYybH2VIQalh_cBYytUU3xYM46safexiIezAGy4FotdWrirBFOgnVNkIgSITGPdmYyUK0p_qu/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Cutting+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Time to cut the cherpumple! " border="0" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqMWG2mS1-LfKXfAwEN_wYJZyCT9RbPsm0TGh2R9Mnjk_CqSU_ghKOk5jMz_qViVlEkukYybH2VIQalh_cBYytUU3xYM46safexiIezAGy4FotdWrirBFOgnVNkIgSITGPdmYyUK0p_qu/s640/Cherpumple+-+Cutting+1.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZgy0d3ATWg/URAjIj67r4I/AAAAAAAACaU/yOisPYwp6YM/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Cutting+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Cutting the cherpumple" border="0" height="634" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZgy0d3ATWg/URAjIj67r4I/AAAAAAAACaU/yOisPYwp6YM/s640/Cherpumple+-+Cutting+2.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was really worried about the slices coming out in gloops and chunks; but even the first slice came out looking perfect.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsZTDqkVOrx-UnF5l_S9KhnuZlLeql1W7ovErsVpLjhashJ7Biy64xUwI3A09TTFiLT4qB578mO_cTLwDhgxlekvhlYL2ZQdHEMTZA_89J73cTf84ufCPY5dGZIIS1ecaVsvuA7U0NjzT/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Slice+with+Fork.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - First slice" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsZTDqkVOrx-UnF5l_S9KhnuZlLeql1W7ovErsVpLjhashJ7Biy64xUwI3A09TTFiLT4qB578mO_cTLwDhgxlekvhlYL2ZQdHEMTZA_89J73cTf84ufCPY5dGZIIS1ecaVsvuA7U0NjzT/s640/Cherpumple+-+Slice+with+Fork.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="580" /></a></div>
<br />
And here's the cherpumple with four slices taken out.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpiZKi1oXsY/URAjO5wAx4I/AAAAAAAACbo/IEG-0ySeqK0/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Cut+Slice+with+Blurry+Cake+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Slice with cut cake in background" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpiZKi1oXsY/URAjO5wAx4I/AAAAAAAACbo/IEG-0ySeqK0/s640/Cherpumple+-+Cut+Slice+with+Blurry+Cake+2.jpg" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="558" /></a></div>
<br />
Honestly, isn't that the most beautiful thing you've ever seen??<br />
<br />
What are you waiting for?? Dig in and enjoy all your hard work! And once you've eaten your one piece, call some friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, even complete strangers because I can assure you, you will not be able to finish this on your own.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-llR7cCfeOnA/URAjP18IvZI/AAAAAAAACb4/FScoEevvj0U/s1600/Cherpumple+-+Time+to+Eat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cherpumple - Ready to eat!" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-llR7cCfeOnA/URAjP18IvZI/AAAAAAAACb4/FScoEevvj0U/s640/Cherpumple+-+Time+to+Eat.JPG" title="Cute Junk I've Made | Cherpumple" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonus points for anyone who can correctly guess how many different kinds of milk were on the table.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We all tried a bite that included every layer; but I think after that one bite, we all ended up just eating the layers separately. The chocolate/cherry layer was definitely the crowd favorite. If you've made or tried this before, what was your favorite? Can you think of any other flavor combinations you'd like to try? <br />
<br />
The cherpumple is definitely overwhelming but SO worth it. Imagine your Valentine's face if you gave this to them instead of a batch of cookies or cupcakes! Even better, make one for a party, but don't tell anyone what it is and watch their expression when they first cut it.<br />
<br />
Or. Wait. Imagine how much you could sell a slice for at a bake sale. Or one of those weird pie auction thingers where everyone's Mom bakes a pie and then you stand in a circle on numbers and play pie musical chairs and when the music stops the number you're standing on is the pie you win? Is that a real thing or did I make it up?<br />
<br />
Ok, I think all the sugar in this post must have gotten to me. I'm going to sign off and go check my insulin levels!<br />
<br />
Linking Up Here:<br />
<a href="http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w351/laurenjh04/buttonashtor200.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://clairejustineoxox.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2mrnoLEdFzd1FpKOq8agmLR_jgaF5JTeZj9HiuoUmi9FBVo9R-d_GALQr3ugkLZPKQg7sT0uIXxDptKK5wYcdIC6rQHPacJtTc6UOL7vCfxtP_7vci-lNaZuLQ1veaglofpfzWq8utQJ/s1600/20+1.jpg" /></a>Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-72835381845822402112013-01-31T09:00:00.000-05:002013-01-31T09:00:03.484-05:00Our Engagement StoryIn case you couldn't tell from the title of this post, I've been keeping a little secret from you guys! On December 21st, Dude and I got engaged!<br />
<br />
This is a big shocker to some of you guys since I've been saying for the past 7 years or so that I didn't ever want to get married.<br />
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I guess I lied, because all of a sudden I have a <a href="http://pinterest.com/cutejunkivemade/wait-i-m-getting-what/" target="_blank">Wedding Pinterest Board</a>, have plans to go dress shopping next month, and have suddenly started thinking about guest lists, favors, wedding songs and showers, and all sorts of girlie things that I never cared to think about before...<br />
<br />
In any case, for posterity's sake, since I know I'll forget all the sweet details, I wanted to share our engagement story. I figure it's only fair since you'll be suffering through <strike>some</strike> a crap ton of DIY wedding projects in the next year and a half.<br />
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The full story is after the jump. <br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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Before I get into everything, I'll give you what you've been waiting for. THE RING:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQLYUFVsxSo/UQfkWVbEz5I/AAAAAAAACV8/CtMbmEpdHHI/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQLYUFVsxSo/UQfkWVbEz5I/AAAAAAAACV8/CtMbmEpdHHI/s400/IMG_1444.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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December 21st started out pretty normal, especially considering the world was supposed to end. My office holiday party was that afternoon and our friends Mike and Brandi were in town from Arizona and we had plans to hang out with them after the party. <br />
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I got a couple of texts throughout the day; and told Dude to meet me at my office party at 5:30 and we'd meet up with Mike and Brandi from there.<br />
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He was on time, came in to the party, I introduced him to everyone as my boyfriend, did a shot with one of the managers and then we left. <br />
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Dude tells me as we're leaving that Mike and Brandi wanted to check out the Incline.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rsBa4YB9SrM/UQflrJis1GI/AAAAAAAACWM/sYbefGu8nf0/s1600/Incline+Pittsburgh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rsBa4YB9SrM/UQflrJis1GI/AAAAAAAACWM/sYbefGu8nf0/s400/Incline+Pittsburgh.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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I found this kind of strange because it was snowy, and Brandi is a born and raised West Coast girl. Anything below 40 degrees and she is bundled up like an Eskimo; and if you're familiar with Pittsburgh's Incline, it's frickin' freezing in the wintertime! It's on top of Mount Washington, the cars are not heated and the best view is outside. But hey, it's a Pittsburgh landmark so I figured what the heck?<br />
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I should mention for those of you not familiar with the Pittsburgh incline that there are actually two, roughly two miles from each other. We went to the Duquesne Incline. Mike and Brandi were nowhere to be found. <br />
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Dude calls Mike; and from hearing the one side of the conversation, I can tell they're at the top of the incline, not meeting us at the bottom to ride up together. <br />
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So we get to the incline, I pay for him since for the first time in my life, I actually have cash, and we get in the car to ride up. We share the car with one chick, who was texting. <br />
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We get to the top and there is literally NO ONE there. Mike and Brandi are nowhere to be seen. Dude checks around the entire building, twice, and then checks outside. I stayed inside because it was snowing and really frickin' cold! <br />
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He kind of dilly dallies around and I say "Are you sure they're not at the <i>other</i> incline??" Dude looks at me and goes "Oh yeah...yeah.... that's probably exactly where they are!!"<br />
<br />
<i>Dude's Note: I was unaware there were two inclines until that exact moment.</i><br />
<i> </i> <br />
So we decide to head back down and meet them at the other one and just go to dinner. We get into the car and back down we go. I make idle chit chat for a bit about how pretty Pittsburgh is. And finally we reach the bottom and Dude goes.<br />
<br />
"Do you want to get old with me?"<br />
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He asks me this all the time, and I say, of course, still looking out the window away from him.<br />
<br />
He goes,<br />
<br />
"No, seriously. Will you marry me?"<br />
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I look over and he's on one knee, with the ring box on my knee. And I say<br />
<br />
"WHAT?!!! WHAT!!!"<br />
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He waits patiently and finally I say yes and hug and kiss him.<br />
<br />
Then he goes to slide the ring on my finger. It doesn't fit. Not even close, it won't go past my second knuckle. <br />
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I put it on my pinkie and off we go to meet Mike and Brandi. Who were in on the whole thing and were never even remotely close to Mount Washington.<br />
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Dude tells me in the car on the way to dinner that he's been planning on asking me to marry him since May; but in typical Dude fashion, everything went wrong.<br />
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First, he was never able to get my parents alone to ask for their permission. <br />
<br />
Then, when he finally got their permission in September, he asked my Mom to help him find out my ring size. In October when they came to help me with <a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part.html" target="_blank">the cabinets</a>, she attempted to figure it out and she clearly failed!<br />
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He looked at hundreds of rings and eventually ended up designing his own at a jeweler a few blocks away from my office. He drives a truck with his work plastered all over it, so every time he went there, he was terrified I'd see him.<br />
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Lastly, he wanted to propose at a time when I could see our friends, my family
and his family all within a few days. His original plan was when we
went to the beach in July, then sometime in the fall, and finally his
last resort was around the holidays. <br />
<br />
Back to the story - we drive around for a bit and then head to his cousin's restaurant in the West End to meet up with Mike and Brandi for dinner. <br />
<br />
I walk in and ALL of our close friends are there, with three notable exceptions of Dawn, Nate, and Gine-A. He gathered them all together for me, for sort of an impromptu engagement dinner. We ate, we drank, and we laughed. <br />
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The next morning, we headed back to Red Lion to celebrate Christmas with my family (and see my two BFFs from high school).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4y-E9NnQFME/UQfkV503qoI/AAAAAAAACWA/RUlYVsxbQ4U/s1600/Phoenix+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4y-E9NnQFME/UQfkV503qoI/AAAAAAAACWA/RUlYVsxbQ4U/s640/Phoenix+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Then drove back to Pittsburgh on Christmas Eve to spend the actual holidays with Dude's family.<br />
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It was perfect. Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-38512814545810367102013-01-29T09:28:00.005-05:002013-02-05T13:27:39.066-05:00Homemade Crock Pot Greek Yogurt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ky9ohwaenI/UQbn_1DXTBI/AAAAAAAACU4/64ZyjZtvnwM/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Cute+Junk+I%2527ve+Made.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ky9ohwaenI/UQbn_1DXTBI/AAAAAAAACU4/64ZyjZtvnwM/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Cute+Junk+I%2527ve+Made.jpg" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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I mentioned it before in the <a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-favorite-granola-bonus-its-gluten.html" target="_blank">My Favorite Granola</a> post, but I figured it was past time for me to share my Homemade Crock Pot Greek Yogurt with you. I know the idea of essentially curdling milk is freaking terrifying, but I swear it's not that bad.<br />
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And can I tell you, it's so damn gratifying to eat yogurt that YOU made, knowing there are no crazy preservatives or other junk in it??<br />
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Kind of makes you feel like, heck yeah I could do this homesteading thing. I could live off the land. I could be an organic crunchy granola chick.<br />
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But then you remember how awesome a Grande Skinny Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks is and how much you love going to Costco on a Saturday just to eat free samples and you snap out of it.<br />
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Ok, back to the yogurt. I'll hold your hand while you take a couple of deep breaths and repeat after me: <i>I can do this!</i><br />
<i> </i>
<br />
Here's what you'll need to get started:<i> </i><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tiu5NOH-kRI/UQbn1-E2bMI/AAAAAAAACRw/LOos-l1knkc/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Ingredients.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Ingredients Setup" border="0" height="452" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tiu5NOH-kRI/UQbn1-E2bMI/AAAAAAAACRw/LOos-l1knkc/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Ingredients.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>2 Quarts of whole milk (I usually use organic, but I sent Dude to the store to pick up this milk...enough said)</li>
<li>1/2c of plain yogurt</li>
<li>Your preferred sweeteners, here's what I used:</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocaw1xFQFy_RiRana_W2kPSFPdiQt4SdbpLZhBh2ih53BipcY4taHAVP_M4y0w5vRNTOT2BBqTzRmmLMC1c3aqx9x7AwvxuChxic-O_8AwUKUJPK71MxDp7-_6lx7-yNBlfZ8N2Yu57uG/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Sweeteners+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Sweeteners" border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocaw1xFQFy_RiRana_W2kPSFPdiQt4SdbpLZhBh2ih53BipcY4taHAVP_M4y0w5vRNTOT2BBqTzRmmLMC1c3aqx9x7AwvxuChxic-O_8AwUKUJPK71MxDp7-_6lx7-yNBlfZ8N2Yu57uG/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Sweeteners+1.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
Recommended but not necessary: a <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/15125957?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=&wl3=21486607510&wl4=&wl5=pla&veh=sem" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Liner</a>. This will cut your clean-up time from 5 minutes to 5 seconds.<br />
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One word of warning, you're going to want to think about timing on this because in about 6 hours you're going to have to measure and stir a bit. And if you don't plan far enough ahead, you may end up setting your alarm for 3am to do it. I'm not saying this because it happened to me the first time I made this yogurt. Pinkie swear.<br />
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Ok, now that you pulled all that stuff out, put it all back except for the milk; and pour that into your Crock Pot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FUMd36oGDOQ/UQbn3dtrUzI/AAAAAAAACSI/lgishN3vP1w/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Milk+Part+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Pouring milk into lined Crock Pot" border="0" height="458" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FUMd36oGDOQ/UQbn3dtrUzI/AAAAAAAACSI/lgishN3vP1w/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Milk+Part+1.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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Put your Crock Pot on Low and if your Crock Pot is goofy like mine and only has a couple of options for time, set a timer for exactly 2 hours and 45 minutes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4-t2UstVe0/UQbn3g9dCBI/AAAAAAAACSU/jma7MEOhELo/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+In+the+Pot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Crock Pot on Low" border="0" height="576" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4-t2UstVe0/UQbn3g9dCBI/AAAAAAAACSU/jma7MEOhELo/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+In+the+Pot.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmUCrQ4g8MQMtrf_nQAc_MySC9rs466YLi600Eh7wcW8dSHAvEV_mvn7Z22cZqlQh1Z125RY6U-Hn8_ZHm1yECPHmM0DOgpjO5N8vlco4622WSgvumiIsGaPMmGrv143Ay2eIFDdBUkk-/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+First+Timer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Timer set for 2 hours and 45 minutes" border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmUCrQ4g8MQMtrf_nQAc_MySC9rs466YLi600Eh7wcW8dSHAvEV_mvn7Z22cZqlQh1Z125RY6U-Hn8_ZHm1yECPHmM0DOgpjO5N8vlco4622WSgvumiIsGaPMmGrv143Ay2eIFDdBUkk-/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+First+Timer.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what 2 hours and 45 minutes looks like on my stove timer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now walk away until the timer goes off because warm milk smells icky.<br />
<br />
After 2 hours and 45 minutes, come back, turn off your Crock Pot, leave the lid on, and set the timer again, this time for 3 hours.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wktV-Pyax7I0P_pVVTwhR9nw26yC-CYuUwtEq_LocpXEKCdGrXhvbIHWblnh-Zb7IJZqWnycyRFR4WZCanq9uPnvcCSFm5F16CxKnsaL4K7YBe0np_0zLMmOQMWcCJLMMyWmELBZz_oC/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Second+Timer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Timer set for 3 hours" border="0" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wktV-Pyax7I0P_pVVTwhR9nw26yC-CYuUwtEq_LocpXEKCdGrXhvbIHWblnh-Zb7IJZqWnycyRFR4WZCanq9uPnvcCSFm5F16CxKnsaL4K7YBe0np_0zLMmOQMWcCJLMMyWmELBZz_oC/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Second+Timer.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case you were confused about the 3 hours thing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Apologies for quality of the next couple of pictures, my camera inexplicably (or maybe I accidentally left it on for like 20 minutes, I don't know!) died right as I started measuring.<br />
<br />
So anyways, three more hours have passed (see what I meant about thinking about timing before you started?); and you've got a Crock Pot full of warm milk. Ladle one cup of the milk out of the Pot into a small bowl.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQOXnf2fRCc/UQbn4RM7vcI/AAAAAAAACSo/pyBUFw6AUpQ/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-++Milk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - 1 cup of warm milk" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQOXnf2fRCc/UQbn4RM7vcI/AAAAAAAACSo/pyBUFw6AUpQ/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-++Milk.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
Now measure out a 1/2c of plain, store-bought yogurt.<br />
<br />
This is called your starter. Someone smarter than me would tell you it has something to do with the bacteria. But personally, I don't understand it and I don't really want to talk about the bacteria in stuff I'm going to eat. Basically you only need this store-bought yogurt once. Next time, you can use the yogurt we're making now in this step.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a-tX3bwKqDY/UQbn4xGC-KI/AAAAAAAACSw/zHMbFLegO6k/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-++Starter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - 1/2c of plain yogurt" border="0" height="436" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a-tX3bwKqDY/UQbn4xGC-KI/AAAAAAAACSw/zHMbFLegO6k/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-++Starter.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Plop the yogurt into the bowl of warm milk; and if your helper has been a good puppy all day, you can let her lick the spoon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pabqn4reRZA/UQbn7X9YLEI/AAAAAAAACTc/QGTkrisOmBw/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Doggies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Pepper licking yogurt spoon" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pabqn4reRZA/UQbn7X9YLEI/AAAAAAAACTc/QGTkrisOmBw/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Doggies.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaE-vH45URjGhiNmyYlaiX0CQIl-yyBx20vigJRgMHjCIdarR6iwH_NyBe33TgdPGw434TlyrFSpF4NZbkIfsjwyIZ-06tfKVPwo6yimnGe3rnp1hDlR8cMcNpqYvi19ifs5bHMM4cZaw/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Milk+and+Starter+Mixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Gently whisk the milk and the plain yogurt together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaE-vH45URjGhiNmyYlaiX0CQIl-yyBx20vigJRgMHjCIdarR6iwH_NyBe33TgdPGw434TlyrFSpF4NZbkIfsjwyIZ-06tfKVPwo6yimnGe3rnp1hDlR8cMcNpqYvi19ifs5bHMM4cZaw/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Milk+and+Starter+Mixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Milk and yogurt mixed" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaE-vH45URjGhiNmyYlaiX0CQIl-yyBx20vigJRgMHjCIdarR6iwH_NyBe33TgdPGw434TlyrFSpF4NZbkIfsjwyIZ-06tfKVPwo6yimnGe3rnp1hDlR8cMcNpqYvi19ifs5bHMM4cZaw/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Milk+and+Starter+Mixed.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="636" /></a></div>
<br />
Pour the milk/yogurt mixture back into the Crock Pot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUvwhU7jC9U/UQbn6PmoH6I/AAAAAAAACTI/qDl0TVdvpyo/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Adding+it+Back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Milk and yogurt back into Crock Pot" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUvwhU7jC9U/UQbn6PmoH6I/AAAAAAAACTI/qDl0TVdvpyo/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Adding+it+Back.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
Put the lid back on the Crock Pot and let it sit on the counter for 8-12 hours. If you have a drafty kitchen like I do, I suggest covering the Crock Pot with a towel and putting it somewhere warmish, like your oven.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lD4bqBP_xCc/UQbn6iU1u6I/AAAAAAAACTQ/wHSuFem5pDs/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+In+the+Oven.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Wrapped up Crock Pot in oven" border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lD4bqBP_xCc/UQbn6iU1u6I/AAAAAAAACTQ/wHSuFem5pDs/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+In+the+Oven.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I have no proof that this does anything, but I read it one time on a blog somewhere; and everyone knows you can't post something online if it isn't true. Plus I'd rather be safe than end up with two quarts of stinky milk in my Crock Pot.<br />
<br />
But that's just me. If you want to roll the dice, I won't stop you. <br />
<br />
After 8-12 hours your yogurt is done! But to make it official Greek yogurt, you need to drain off the whey. <br />
<br />
To do that, grab a strainer, a bowl for it to sit in and some sort of straining material. I use a flour sack towel, but I think cheesecloth or muslin would also work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LuzyRJN-gr8/UQbn7mV56jI/AAAAAAAACTk/V-92u9iwYqA/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Straining+Setup+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Straining whey setup" border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LuzyRJN-gr8/UQbn7mV56jI/AAAAAAAACTk/V-92u9iwYqA/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Straining+Setup+1.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So place the towel in the strainer and set the strainer on top of the bowl. I prefer to do this step in the sink because my Crock Pot bowl is heavy and I have weak little girl arms. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBfoSPZcIAo/UQbn7-m6v5I/AAAAAAAACTo/lA4j49bvZTU/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Straining+Setup+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Straining whey setup in sink" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBfoSPZcIAo/UQbn7-m6v5I/AAAAAAAACTo/lA4j49bvZTU/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Straining+Setup+2.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Carefully pour your now thickened milk/yogurt mixture from the Crock Pot into the strainer; and move the entire setup to the fridge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyxCRt9y3JZKk5ubHd_r1WvughBG51FPwRlSBar0ZTKaKg0xXlNXhWdyCdfq_jBQJceykZhGt0VRn2UeuCq7kuhTBChaerOi8mYbl3q-Wy9xfxE_VWyoeRWhzQqVNoKyRHx6BHOSrwEiV/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Straining+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Yogurt straining" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyxCRt9y3JZKk5ubHd_r1WvughBG51FPwRlSBar0ZTKaKg0xXlNXhWdyCdfq_jBQJceykZhGt0VRn2UeuCq7kuhTBChaerOi8mYbl3q-Wy9xfxE_VWyoeRWhzQqVNoKyRHx6BHOSrwEiV/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Straining+2.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUcEH2YtyJuFUk02VdAOm-6uQ_bHVoBfqSjD_64LSj4QZEueo0PgXwypmNAW-w5mYl7Mpxg4HYsJmWdO43xUya6k2I-r6hUpGzkOvXimnjv4buZAlIP6BnlwVIP3-MlRpBSKK4d5Mwwgz/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Whey+in+Cup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Leave it there until you've drained off at least 3/4 of a cup of whey. It took me roughly 3 hours to drain off almost two cups of whey. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUcEH2YtyJuFUk02VdAOm-6uQ_bHVoBfqSjD_64LSj4QZEueo0PgXwypmNAW-w5mYl7Mpxg4HYsJmWdO43xUya6k2I-r6hUpGzkOvXimnjv4buZAlIP6BnlwVIP3-MlRpBSKK4d5Mwwgz/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Whey+in+Cup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Measured whey" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUcEH2YtyJuFUk02VdAOm-6uQ_bHVoBfqSjD_64LSj4QZEueo0PgXwypmNAW-w5mYl7Mpxg4HYsJmWdO43xUya6k2I-r6hUpGzkOvXimnjv4buZAlIP6BnlwVIP3-MlRpBSKK4d5Mwwgz/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Whey+in+Cup.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
What is whey? I haven't got the slightest clue. I know Little Miss Muffett sat on her tuffett - while we're at it, what the heck is a tuffett? - eating her curds and whey. I can't imagine eating this stuff straight. But, I do know you can substitute it in any bread or dough recipe for water or milk.<br />
<br />
Or you can do what I do, pour it into a mason jar, throw it in the fridge for a couple of weeks, plan to use it to make bread; and then never make the bread and throw it out when stuff starts floating in it.<br />
<br />
Up to you.<br />
<br />
Alright, back to the stuff you came here for! Greek Yogurt!<br />
<br />
After you drain off the whey, your yogurt is ready to be eaten and stored. I usually make three different containers. I leave one plain, to use as a starter next time; I layer one with berries and agave or honey; and I layer the final one with jam.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfQdfZIIWcqqyNbHWgsHPcE5bCgJ-s4A-pENzXGVPYAsVlxqreIoFkXkCxFWcHKJrG0YnEMItzCsYqIW9GcdsuPWAwJvFi8rAJUXrxtB-30RCSUtgn1_O4KIqnMBA8SfJAZbNio1gc0Mf/s1600/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Final+Product+with+Agave+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt - Yogurt with honey" border="0" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfQdfZIIWcqqyNbHWgsHPcE5bCgJ-s4A-pENzXGVPYAsVlxqreIoFkXkCxFWcHKJrG0YnEMItzCsYqIW9GcdsuPWAwJvFi8rAJUXrxtB-30RCSUtgn1_O4KIqnMBA8SfJAZbNio1gc0Mf/s640/Crockpot+Greek+Yogurt+-+Final+Product+with+Agave+1.JPG" title="Homemade Crockpot Greek Yogurt | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
You can set up your yogurt here however you like. If you want to add granulated sweetener or vanilla extract or any other kind of flavoring, now is the time to do it.<br />
<br />
Your yogurt will keep in the fridge for a week or two. Use your best judgement there.<br />
<br />
Linking up here:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Background Noise for This Project: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Has_Cancer" target="_blank">It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: </a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6936017491936588875" target="_blank">Season 1, Episode 4: Charlie Has Cancer </a></span></span>Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-35582713927603298302013-01-01T09:00:00.000-05:002013-01-01T09:00:11.132-05:00The Rory Gilmore Book Challenge<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In college, Gilmore Girls was one of my favorite shows. I remember they showed re-runs on ABCFamily every afternoon from 4-5pm and I would always do my damndest to make it back to my room in time to watch. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">To this day Dude and I still say <a href="http://youtu.be/2e681kuHWds" target="_blank">"Oy with the poodles already."</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyhow, the other day I came across <a href="http://bookreviews.me.uk/rory-gilmore-reading-challenge/#" target="_blank">Rory Gilmore's book list</a>. A list of every single book Rory ever read or mentioned during 7 Seasons of Gilmore Girls. There are 344 of them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ys0GbmF81mU/UNNKsjA8hqI/AAAAAAAABlE/SGV-2usrcJE/s1600/ChallengeAccepted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ys0GbmF81mU/UNNKsjA8hqI/AAAAAAAABlE/SGV-2usrcJE/s1600/ChallengeAccepted.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.conanhughes.com/2012/08/challenge-accepted-meme-history.html#.UNNKpKxUvyA" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I read through the list, crossed out the books I've read in the recent past - high school doesn't count - and you've got the giant list I have after the jump.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
So, as a new year's resolution (and because I can never think of a new book to read), I'm going to plow my way through this ginormous list. <br />
<br />
Let's be real, <span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> I know I'm not going to get through this list in a year or two. Even
if I read a book a week (yeah right!), it would still take me almost SIX
YEARS to get through this list. However, I will come back to this post
and update it when I finish a book. Maybe even do a post if I really
liked or hated a certain book.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If you're with me, let me know in the comments and we can be book buddies! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I don't know what that means or what being my book buddy might entail but I promise it will be tons of nerdy fun.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLsTgl-LQk8/UNNQ4WC0-EI/AAAAAAAABlY/7JSDjEZXKbA/s1600/Reading+Challenge+Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLsTgl-LQk8/UNNQ4WC0-EI/AAAAAAAABlY/7JSDjEZXKbA/s1600/Reading+Challenge+Header.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1984 by George Orwell</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Archidamian War by Donald Kagan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Art of Fiction by Henry James</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Art of War by Sun Tzu</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Atonement by Ian McEwan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Awakening by Kate Chopin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Babe by Dick King-Smith</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women by Susan Faludi</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bel Canto by Ann Patchett</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Beloved by Toni Morrison</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Beowulf: A New Verse Translation by Seamus Heaney</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Bhagava Gita</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Bielski Brothers: The True Story of Three Men Who Defied the Nazis,
Built a</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Village in the Forest, and Saved 1,200 Jews by Peter Duffy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bitch in Praise of Difficult Women by Elizabeth Wurtzel</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Bolt from the Blue and Other Essays by Mary McCarthy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Brave New World by Aldous Huxley</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Brick Lane by Monica Ali</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bridgadoon by Alan Jay Lerner</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Candide by Voltaire</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Carrie by Stephen King</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Catch-22 by Joseph Heller</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger – read</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Children’s Hour by Lillian Hellman</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christine by Stephen King</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Collected Short Stories by Eudora Welty</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty by Eudora Welty</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Complete Novels by Dawn Powell</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Complete Poems by Anne Sexton</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Complete Stories by Dorothy Parker</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas père</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cousin Bette by Honor’e de Balzac</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Crucible by Arthur Miller</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cujo by Stephen King</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Daisy Miller by Henry James</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">David and Lisa by Dr Theodore Issac Rubin M.D</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">David Copperfield by Charles Dickens</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Da Vinci -Code by Dan Brown</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Demons by Fyodor Dostoyevsky</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Deenie by Judy Blume</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair
that Changed America by Erik Larson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band by Tommy
Lee,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Vince Neil, Mick Mars and Nikki Sixx</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Divine Comedy by Dante</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Don Quijote by Cervantes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhrv</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson - read – 2009</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Edgar Allan Poe: Complete Tales & Poems by Edgar Allan Poe</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Eleanor Roosevelt by Blanche Wiesen Cook</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Eloise by Kay Thompson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Emily the Strange by Roger Reger</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Emma by Jane Austen </span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Empire Falls by Richard Russo</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Encyclopedia Brown: Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobol</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ethics by Spinoza</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Europe through the Back Door, 2003 by Rick Steves</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Eva Luna by Isabel Allende</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Extravagance by Gary Krist</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury </span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fahrenheit 9/11 by Michael Moore</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Fall of the Athenian Empire by Donald Kagan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World by Greg
Critser</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Fellowship of the Ring: Book 1 of The Lord of the Ring by J. R. R.
Tolkien </span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fiddler on the Roof by Joseph Stein</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Finnegan’s Wake by James Joyce</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fletch by Gregory McDonald</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Frankenstein by Mary Shelley</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Franny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Gender Trouble by Judith Butle</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">George W. Bushism: The Slate Book of the Accidental Wit and Wisdom of
our</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">43rd President by Jacob Weisberg</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Gidget by Fredrick Kohner</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Godfather: Book 1 by Mario Puzo</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Alvin Granowsky</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Gospel According to Judy Bloom</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Graduate by Charles Webb</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Great Expectations by Charles Dickens</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Group by Mary McCarthy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hamlet by William Shakespeare</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling </span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (TBR)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent
Bugliosi </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and Curt Gentry (TBR)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Henry IV, part I by William Shakespeare</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Henry IV, part II by William Shakespeare</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Henry V by William Shakespeare</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">High Fidelity by Nick Hornby</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward
Gibbon</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Holidays on Ice: Stories by David Sedaris</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Holy Barbarians by Lawrence Lipton</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III (Lpr)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">How to Breathe Underwater by Julie Orringer</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">How the Light Gets in by M. J. Hyland</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Howl by Allen Gingsburg</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Iliad by Homer</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m with the Band by Pamela des Barres</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In Cold Blood by Truman Capote</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Iron Weed by William J. Kennedy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It Takes a Village by Hillary Clinton</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë – read</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Jumping Frog by Mark Twain</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Jungle by Upton Sinclair</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Just a Couple of Days by Tony Vigorito</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar by Robert Alexander</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lady Chatterleys’ Lover by D. H. Lawrence</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Last Empire: Essays 1992-2000 by Gore Vidal</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven Pressfield</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them by Al Franken</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Life of Pi by Yann Martel</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Little Locksmith by Katharine Butler Hathaway</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Little Women by Louisa May Alcott</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lord of the Flies by William Golding</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Lottery: And Other Stories by Shirley Jackson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Love Story by Erich Segal</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Macbeth by William Shakespeare </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Manticore by Robertson Davies</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Marathon Man by William Goldman</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter by Simone de Beauvoir</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman by William Tecumseh Sherman</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Meaning of Consuelo by Judith Ortiz Cofer</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mencken’s Chrestomathy by H. R. Mencken</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Merry Wives of Windsro by William Shakespeare</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Miracle Worker by William Gibson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Moby Dick by Herman Melville</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mojo Collection: The Ultimate Music Companion by Jim Irvin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Moliere: A Biography by Hobart Chatfield Taylor</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Monetary History of the United States by Milton Friedman</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Monsieur Proust by Celeste Albaret</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Month Of Sundays: Searching For The Spirit And My Sister by Julie
Mars</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My Lai 4: A Report on the Massacre and It’s Aftermath by Seymour M.
Hersh</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My Life as Author and Editor by H. R. Mencken</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My Life in Orange: Growing Up with the Guru by Tim Guest</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nervous System: Or, Losing My Mind in Literature by Jan Lars Jensen</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">New Poems of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Night by Elie Wiesel</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen – read</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism by William E. Cain, Laurie
A.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Finke, Barbara E. Johnson, John P. McGowan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Novels 1930-1942: Dance Night/Come Back to Sorrento, Turn, Magic</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Wheel/Angels on Toast/A Time to be Born by Dawn Powell</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Notes of a Dirty Old Man by Charles Bukowski</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Old School by Tobias Wolff</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On the Road by Jack Kerouac</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch by Alexander Solzhenitsyn</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Opposite of Fate: Memories of a Writing Life by Amy Tan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oracle Night by Paul Auste</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Othello by Shakespeare – read</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Outbreak of the Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Out of Africa by Isac Dineson</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Passage to India by E.M. Forster</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Peace of Nicias and the Sicilian Expedition by Donald Kagan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Peyton Place by Grace Metalious</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pigs at the Trough by Arianna Huffington</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk Legs McNeil and
Gillian</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">McCain</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby – read</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Portable Dorothy Parker by Dorothy Parker</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Portable Nietzche by Fredrich Nietzche</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Price of Loyalty: George W. Bush, the White House, and the
Education of</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul O’Neill by Ron Suskind</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Property by Valerie Martin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pushkin: A Biography by T. J. Binyon</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Quattrocento by James Mckean</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Quiet Storm by Rachel Howzell Hall</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rapunzel by Grimm Brothers – read</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Razor’s Edge by W. Somerset Maugham</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier – read</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Red Tent by Anita Diamant</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rescuing Patty Hearst: Memories From a Decade Gone Mad by Virgini</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Holman </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Return of the King: The Lord of the Rings Book 3 by J. R. R.
Tolkien</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R Is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rita Hayworth by Stephen King</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Robert’s Rules of Order by Henry Robert</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Roman Fever by Edith Wharton</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Room with a View by E. M. Forster</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sacred Time by Ursula Hegi</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sanctuary by William Faulkner</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Scarecrow of Oz by Frank L. Baum</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne – read</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd</span></s><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Secrets of the Flesh: A Life of Colette by Judith Thurman</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Selected Letters of Dawn Powell: 1913-1965 by Dawn Powell</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Separate Peace by John Knowles</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Shane by Jack Shaefer</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Shining by Stephen King</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">S Is for Silence by Sue Grafton</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Small Island by Andrea Levy </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Snow White and Rose Red by Grimm Brothers </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Making of the Modern World by Barrington Moore</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Song of Names by Norman Lebrecht</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Song of the Simple Truth: The Complete Poems of Julia de Burgos by
Julia de</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Song Reader by Lisa Tucker</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Songbook by Nick Hornby</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Sonnets by William Shakespeare</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Speak, Memory by Vladimir Nabokov</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Story of My Life by Helen Keller</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Streetcar Named Desiree by Tennessee Williams</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Swann’s Way by Marcel Proust</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<![endif]-->Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-80750836667853965912012-12-19T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-19T08:00:13.874-05:00Best. Weekend. Ever.<div style="text-align: center;">
First <a href="http://eatfeats.com/query.php?_table=contests&id=10738" target="_blank">this happened</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIO-TVcQhmL2wAhiBY4PbECaGLPzcXhCA4768G4OazhQZHDJ-q2LQe0RMPdFun4e0_NpCjNROIc23xvePIFAmteEoSMFuDrvXP9Yl2Omo1pveMIS6CCVOBY4ahOb-alvpO2yCNnySMhF3/s1600/MaxandErmasChallenga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Max & Erma's Burger Challenge" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIO-TVcQhmL2wAhiBY4PbECaGLPzcXhCA4768G4OazhQZHDJ-q2LQe0RMPdFun4e0_NpCjNROIc23xvePIFAmteEoSMFuDrvXP9Yl2Omo1pveMIS6CCVOBY4ahOb-alvpO2yCNnySMhF3/s640/MaxandErmasChallenga.jpg" title="Max & Erma's Burger Challenge" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then this</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoKawkj_1rouQIJnFYJLfxMmW4Ryg9oCA81kBAuuXC1dhvLGSBqu2VV2waAeIPhpSSakY2TpwVNpNUhgMxkofgFoZW9nI20zojDQcJFEWLkysz5I4NBhYhFTPI8Gwgjt2phqqjdlPiuco/s1600/the-hobbit-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoKawkj_1rouQIJnFYJLfxMmW4Ryg9oCA81kBAuuXC1dhvLGSBqu2VV2waAeIPhpSSakY2TpwVNpNUhgMxkofgFoZW9nI20zojDQcJFEWLkysz5I4NBhYhFTPI8Gwgjt2phqqjdlPiuco/s640/the-hobbit-poster.jpg" title="The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2012/12/movie-review-hobbit-unexpected-journey.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then <a href="http://www.greenforestdining.com/" target="_blank">this</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoo7ZqHaJIpDRI1ndwTxSVS7mYVOn4Mw49AnQvX_kb43YlFy3w7rudu5t1nz4KkPNdAkNMWBgSBL5ocY-jcSU1o9VcvVlknbuku6Gq8GOJv8g1wg0AqIaWamOye4Yd9_SNQstg4Wyy6b2/s1600/GFCMenu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Green Forest Churrascaria aka the Meat Buffet Menu Cover" border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoo7ZqHaJIpDRI1ndwTxSVS7mYVOn4Mw49AnQvX_kb43YlFy3w7rudu5t1nz4KkPNdAkNMWBgSBL5ocY-jcSU1o9VcvVlknbuku6Gq8GOJv8g1wg0AqIaWamOye4Yd9_SNQstg4Wyy6b2/s640/GFCMenu.jpg" title="Green Forest Churrascaria aka the Meat Buffet" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They had bacon off the slab! Can you say heaven??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then this</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_sKpcFv4po/UM9f6N5omtI/AAAAAAAABkc/zvKkJ9aMM2I/s1600/HolidayPie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonalds Holiday Pie" border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_sKpcFv4po/UM9f6N5omtI/AAAAAAAABkc/zvKkJ9aMM2I/s640/HolidayPie.jpg" title="McDonalds Holiday Pie" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then this</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIxSS7fQ4vPwfkJu5C_3ccC9Jd4j_Q12EPAOCfEsaIPPhLJY6dY2UeEp1fOri7wEI1bKdGC4HIYlNJxMLZNXEhGY-yfyIZXePKLa9gmDMK58yQMWY9nyP1JOulhbFqKx8Rx3VC4WIHD-O/s1600/Dude+and+Pep+Snuggling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dude and Pep Snuggle Buddies" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIxSS7fQ4vPwfkJu5C_3ccC9Jd4j_Q12EPAOCfEsaIPPhLJY6dY2UeEp1fOri7wEI1bKdGC4HIYlNJxMLZNXEhGY-yfyIZXePKLa9gmDMK58yQMWY9nyP1JOulhbFqKx8Rx3VC4WIHD-O/s640/Dude+and+Pep+Snuggling.jpg" title="Dude and Pep Snuggle Buddies" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And now I have just one last thing to say</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ErGh2SiCyu4/UM9f7Azib9I/AAAAAAAABks/x13ICaJKbqE/s1600/HappyHappyHappy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Phil Robertson Duck Dynasty Meat Buffet - Happy Happy Happy" border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ErGh2SiCyu4/UM9f7Azib9I/AAAAAAAABks/x13ICaJKbqE/s640/HappyHappyHappy.jpg" title="Phil Robertson Duck Dynasty Meat Buffet" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blurppy.com/2012/04/30/aes-newest-hit-reality-series-duck-dynasty-god-family-ducks-in-that-order/" target="_blank">Source</a>, text added by me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-38633458913346144852012-12-17T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-05T13:26:59.601-05:00FREE Printable Let It Snow Banner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JrUY9QtA-j5XS_Sm47li_kjofgW_xzFObdVO6VLk6DqLXDO82irXbG_D4raKvAUjrXzFAp2rcZNhSTPDmIP8BS2jrf6Y20kv8RmWmI9oN5T378BSLJbvZfm2nzcsekRBvEmqPnymJIOR/s1600/Let+it+Snow+Title+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free Printable Let It Snow Banner - TItle Picture" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JrUY9QtA-j5XS_Sm47li_kjofgW_xzFObdVO6VLk6DqLXDO82irXbG_D4raKvAUjrXzFAp2rcZNhSTPDmIP8BS2jrf6Y20kv8RmWmI9oN5T378BSLJbvZfm2nzcsekRBvEmqPnymJIOR/s640/Let+it+Snow+Title+Picture.jpg" title="Free Printable Let It Snow Banner - TItle Picture" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
What bugs me the most about holiday decorating is that January gets kind of jipped. Sure January gets New Years Day, but that's about it. Once your holiday decorations come down, it's all about Valentines Day. <br />
<br />
So, the other day I was putzing around on <a href="http://www.brusheezy.com/" target="_blank">Brusheezy</a>, and came across these super cute <a href="http://www.brusheezy.com/brushes/1660-snowflake-vector-brushes-for-photoshop" target="_blank">snowflake brushes</a> and inspiration for this Let It Snow Banner struck. And I figured while I was making a cute banner for myself, I should get in the Christmas spirit and share it with you guys too!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8d_REuXLZCONGRZM3YyUGNJTkE" target="_blank">Free Printable Let It Snow Banner </a><br />
<br />
I've got a tutorial below on how I put it together; but don't feel pressured to stick with the colors I picked! This would be super cute with a burlap background or strung on rustic or bakers twine. Or if you have some glitter laying around, you could glitterize the letters. Or if you hate blue fuzzy mittens, you could ditch them. Maybe I should re-make this banner for myself with all my other ideas...<br />
<br />
So if you're following along at home, here's what you'll need.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWVkpUSU1Gw/UMok0NIGZGI/AAAAAAAABd4/OcZicZe6-Tc/s1600/Snowflakes+158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Let It Snow Banner - Supplies" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWVkpUSU1Gw/UMok0NIGZGI/AAAAAAAABd4/OcZicZe6-Tc/s640/Snowflakes+158.JPG" title="Let It Snow Banner - Supplies" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Cute Junk I've Made <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8d_REuXLZCONGRZM3YyUGNJTkE" target="_blank">Let It Snow Banner</a>, printed</li>
<li>Hole punch</li>
<li>Rounded corner punch (best $5 I've EVER spent!)</li>
<li>Any version of your favorite paper adhesive - I used a glue stick</li>
<li>1 sheet of fancy scrapbook paper for the mittens</li>
<li>3 sheets of color-coordinated plain scrapbook paper</li>
<li>Coordinating ribbon</li>
<li>I don't even know what to call this - white fur-looking ribbon stuff. I got 12" from the ribbon section of JoAnn's but you could probably get away with 6"</li>
</ul>
First, cut the Let It Snow letters apart.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1OQmP50C6kbWZ886x6uJ_wsBj6D82QAZJZvNs2tAaaetQdsE7Se_3csbc9lKQuu8Wz8TAMBVJEedCtvrIdb_s9zLEex13CrvOJrLhpKGVzTpO2w5YuQfwaAxUkAXyuhpka68xlV-wttV/s1600/Snowflakes+162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Let It Snow Banner - Cut Out Letters" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1OQmP50C6kbWZ886x6uJ_wsBj6D82QAZJZvNs2tAaaetQdsE7Se_3csbc9lKQuu8Wz8TAMBVJEedCtvrIdb_s9zLEex13CrvOJrLhpKGVzTpO2w5YuQfwaAxUkAXyuhpka68xlV-wttV/s640/Snowflakes+162.JPG" title="Let It Snow Banner - Cut Out Letters" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Then, grab your plain scrapbook paper and cut out twelve 4 1/8" x 5 1/2" rectangles. You'll be pasting your letters (and snowmen) onto these rectangles to give your banner a little weight and make it a bit more durable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0f4icOtn8f0/UMok1aT-blI/AAAAAAAABh8/edQ-ULcN05U/s1600/Snowflakes+163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Let It Snow Banner - Cut Out Backing Rectangles" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0f4icOtn8f0/UMok1aT-blI/AAAAAAAABh8/edQ-ULcN05U/s640/Snowflakes+163.JPG" title="Let It Snow Banner - Cut Out Backing Rectangles" width="472" /></a></div>
<br />
Paste your letters onto the plain scrapbook paper rectangles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-POTumhPqOwY/UMok11iTDFI/AAAAAAAABiA/fjaItCv-jNY/s1600/Snowflakes+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Let It Snow Banner - Finished Banner Letters" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-POTumhPqOwY/UMok11iTDFI/AAAAAAAABiA/fjaItCv-jNY/s640/Snowflakes+164.JPG" title="Let It Snow Banner - Finished Banner Letters" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
If you have a rounded corner punch, get crazy and punch those pointy corners off your letters. If you don't have one, don't sweat it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5f1wks6pJe1z6azoqY7lYD5NxPWxhrDqM3Idks6V2t1Gvsv950REWJL8s_IywZl-gG005PbAEZZh6HLVHxE1AYwGVdt00sO23izpp75zoilRz2onKukIT76miH9xruqv60aDwmtFKRPW6/s1600/Snowflakes+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Let It Snow Banner - Rounding Corners" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5f1wks6pJe1z6azoqY7lYD5NxPWxhrDqM3Idks6V2t1Gvsv950REWJL8s_IywZl-gG005PbAEZZh6HLVHxE1AYwGVdt00sO23izpp75zoilRz2onKukIT76miH9xruqv60aDwmtFKRPW6/s640/Snowflakes+166.JPG" title="Let It Snow Banner - Rounding Corners" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Now it's time to make some mittens for the beginning and end of the banner.<br />
<br />
I free-handed the mitten drawing on my fancy scrapbook paper, but there are eleventy-billion coloring pages and templates online if you're particular.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlvj86rx6d8/UMok3jnZBWI/AAAAAAAABew/XmSAU1Ggfdk/s1600/Snowflakes+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Let It Snow Banner - Mittens" border="0" height="484" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlvj86rx6d8/UMok3jnZBWI/AAAAAAAABew/XmSAU1Ggfdk/s640/Snowflakes+167.JPG" title="Let It Snow Banner - Mittens" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The mittens look kind of naked, don't they?? Cut your crazy fur-ribbon to fit and glue a piece to the top of each mitten. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ap8DxRkuxEM/UMok4Kly39I/AAAAAAAABe4/XgVR8urBAjY/s1600/Snowflakes+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Let It Snow Banner - Furry Mittens" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ap8DxRkuxEM/UMok4Kly39I/AAAAAAAABe4/XgVR8urBAjY/s640/Snowflakes+168.JPG" title="Let It Snow Banner - Furry Mittens" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Next, grab your hole punch (lots of punching here) and punch two holes at the top of each letter. Try to center them as much as you can, but no need to get out your protractor. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4frQDpWGSk/UMok4glKpTI/AAAAAAAABiM/Utsy5gXrelU/s1600/Snowflakes+169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4frQDpWGSk/UMok4glKpTI/AAAAAAAABiM/Utsy5gXrelU/s640/Snowflakes+169.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
When you've got all your holes punched, string your coordinating ribbon through them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ8o9SscKlDN_cCk5C-T6BoZWi6vYmc7i8N-NgQdLGnobJHgNEO2gdzCot7w1tBPIJs8LdPQg4uZY9nd9Ra8wup0E8BIa4Z52jrKPYvDaCJVYnIwgWq3WTET1YgaJldRAjyDpxE3VVxdp/s1600/Snowflakes+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Let It Snow Banner - Ribbon and Letters Strung Together" border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ8o9SscKlDN_cCk5C-T6BoZWi6vYmc7i8N-NgQdLGnobJHgNEO2gdzCot7w1tBPIJs8LdPQg4uZY9nd9Ra8wup0E8BIa4Z52jrKPYvDaCJVYnIwgWq3WTET1YgaJldRAjyDpxE3VVxdp/s640/Snowflakes+172.JPG" title="Let It Snow Banner - Ribbon and Letters Strung Together" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bM6uSD07yJI/UMok6pgrf_I/AAAAAAAABic/CyllrYTX-XY/s1600/Snowflakes+173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Let It Snow Banner - Ribbon and Letters Strung Together" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bM6uSD07yJI/UMok6pgrf_I/AAAAAAAABic/CyllrYTX-XY/s640/Snowflakes+173.JPG" title="Let It Snow Banner - Ribbon and Letters Strung Together" width="480" /></a></div>
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Now hang that baby up!! Since the banner is kind of long, it's helpful to have an extra set of arms to help you hang it up. Attached to you or someone else, doesn't matter.<br />
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First I put it up on my mantle.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQXYXv4rDTU/UMok-Bwwi6I/AAAAAAAABi4/SP1xwxoyNoY/s1600/Let+it+Snow+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQXYXv4rDTU/UMok-Bwwi6I/AAAAAAAABi4/SP1xwxoyNoY/s640/Let+it+Snow+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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But I had to take down our stockings to hang it up and the mittens ended up pretty much inside the dragon tanks on both sides. Then I thought how flipping cute would it be hanging up on top of my <a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/12/snowflake-curtain-free-printable.html" target="_blank">snowflake curtain</a>?!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6C1lvPwZ43E/UMolDX6fOFI/AAAAAAAABjk/ZkDI1J34Qew/s1600/Let+it+Snow+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Let It Snow Banner - Finished Banner with Snowflake Curtain" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6C1lvPwZ43E/UMolDX6fOFI/AAAAAAAABjk/ZkDI1J34Qew/s640/Let+it+Snow+017.JPG" title="Let It Snow Banner - Finished Banner with Snowflake Curtain" width="640" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="486" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--IoZMurUiUM/UMolEi5MrKI/AAAAAAAABjs/a9pHYnWGypc/s640/Let+it+Snow+019.JPG" width="640" /> </div>
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And there it stayed. Until I decided to move it out onto our covered front porch so our mailman Dominic could admire it.</div>
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No pictures, sorry, it was late!!</div>
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Linking up here:</div>
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<a href="http://www.lilmrstori.com/search/label/Tell%20%20Me%20Tuesday" target="_blank"><img alt="Lil’ Mrs. Tori" border="0" src="http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu244/Vmgrant52/buttonashtor300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Background Noise for This Project: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Duck_Dynasty_episodes#Season_1" target="_blank">Duck Dynasty, Season 1 - Episode 10: Plain Bee </a></span></span></div>
Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-82451282639992001382012-12-13T11:55:00.002-05:002012-12-17T13:19:33.546-05:00Snowflake Curtain + FREE Printable Template<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ktm-g2uMVE/UMemRWNeB-I/AAAAAAAABcY/N1sAQJMN_KA/s1600/Snowflake+Title+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial | Cute Junk I've Made" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ktm-g2uMVE/UMemRWNeB-I/AAAAAAAABcY/N1sAQJMN_KA/s640/Snowflake+Title+Picture.jpg" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial | Cute Junk I've Made" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll be the first to admit, I had literally ZERO Christmas spirit and zero interest in decorating until I got a house and a <a href="http://pinterest.com/cutejunkivemade/" target="_blank">Pinterest account</a>. Last year, Dude and I hit up the after-Christmas sales and bought our first Christmas tree, lights, outdoor lights, the whole shebang! But I put everything up and thought we could use a little something extra in our dining room.<br />
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Some of the people I follow on Pinterest pinned some super cute paper snowflake templates and projects (<a href="http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/snowflake.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-make-5-pointed-paper-snowflakes.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/handmade/how-to-make-a-snowflake-curtain/index.html" target="_blank">here</a>), I got inspired and decided to make a window of snowflakes! <br />
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hi everybody, love dude (see what happens when you leave your laptop on the couch??)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk68TlZz1KhLV9lmSF_Y4yYbeTWJLpK5IvnzKi7x592XXVLqlxGLrZBX9VXd5NmVGuCjwjtKnsVM21w_kbKtSyhYp3OKjAhleCnzamoQe3UY-LmqxQlQn9i6E-mu1JRhJWqsqocg7RzZ-E/s1600/Snowflakes+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Finished Paper Snowflake Curtain" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk68TlZz1KhLV9lmSF_Y4yYbeTWJLpK5IvnzKi7x592XXVLqlxGLrZBX9VXd5NmVGuCjwjtKnsVM21w_kbKtSyhYp3OKjAhleCnzamoQe3UY-LmqxQlQn9i6E-mu1JRhJWqsqocg7RzZ-E/s640/Snowflakes+125.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Finished Paper Snowflake Curtain" width="480" /></a></div>
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Ok, so let's decorate <u>your</u> windows with snowflakes!<br />
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First things first, <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8d_REuXLZCOOWxBR19WdjhieUE" target="_blank">download and print</a> my free printable <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8d_REuXLZCOOWxBR19WdjhieUE" target="_blank">paper snowflake template</a>. It has 6 pages - one page with labeled folding lines and instructions, one page with just folding lines and 4 pages of cut-able templates to help get you started. For all you perfectionists out there, once you start to branch out and cut your own designs, remember that you can't really mess up this project.<br />
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Alright, once you have the template printed, gather the rest of your supplies:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-enXVQ3PDIjM/UMeluyRI4TI/AAAAAAAABSg/B-cpVIHSqvE/s1600/Snowflakes+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - scissors, template, floss, scrapbook paper" border="0" height="363" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-enXVQ3PDIjM/UMeluyRI4TI/AAAAAAAABSg/B-cpVIHSqvE/s640/Snowflakes+059.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Supplies" width="640" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8d_REuXLZCOOWxBR19WdjhieUE" target="_blank">Cute Junk I've Made 6-Pointed Snowflake Template</a></li>
<li>Paper cutter </li>
<li>Scissors, big and small</li>
<li>Scrapbook paper (optional)</li>
<li>Dental floss (yep)</li>
</ul>
Start with page one of the template and cut out the square just inside the black lines. I like to start by cutting it out with scissors first and then come in with the paper cutter to get close to the outside lines.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_v9P38WHRn9p_ObOb2bKl9km1fu2PhOZqD9NWa9RIji3n7YI4AlKF9K0uiA1b6IPCQLCFhDrwrj6y3eCJpUEjg_eF8H4sLekO7TLxlVJmEcF_hphRsvF-PrVBTBbU6nHlbzAOSS0b1Czg/s1600/Snowflakes+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Cut out paper snowflake template - on paper cutter" border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_v9P38WHRn9p_ObOb2bKl9km1fu2PhOZqD9NWa9RIji3n7YI4AlKF9K0uiA1b6IPCQLCFhDrwrj6y3eCJpUEjg_eF8H4sLekO7TLxlVJmEcF_hphRsvF-PrVBTBbU6nHlbzAOSS0b1Czg/s640/Snowflakes+063.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Cut out paper snowflake template" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper Cutter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-g58uOU2UkhwwlqiLzCOvjwOFhCD_4jEJouAaw9m4fs4LB4Ai5UTB3PNPPcbTG75lw-6xaLVlnhGD1-9Z3DbFjJIKNHNRYU2oe5uzRwJGXjIk8yW-zN36Th2_FThuRO4jOMJZpVp8vt60/s1600/Snowflakes+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Ready to Fold" border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-g58uOU2UkhwwlqiLzCOvjwOFhCD_4jEJouAaw9m4fs4LB4Ai5UTB3PNPPcbTG75lw-6xaLVlnhGD1-9Z3DbFjJIKNHNRYU2oe5uzRwJGXjIk8yW-zN36Th2_FThuRO4jOMJZpVp8vt60/s640/Snowflakes+065.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Ready to Fold" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to Fold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First fold the square in half, along Line A, keeping the labeled lines on the top.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAm7Itv6KcTU_voqJ9xm4nNCRF1qoiUAmLJ3eicznW8c2Ubd5snSexkReZ87J79Zyfs8tiptyMU4eea_SimCEduwjlvodYS0ITN00pJP3CydroU5QMGtRWxAyacTfobVHylYtQZ7LQRfQ/s1600/Snowflakes+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain - Fold 1" border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAm7Itv6KcTU_voqJ9xm4nNCRF1qoiUAmLJ3eicznW8c2Ubd5snSexkReZ87J79Zyfs8tiptyMU4eea_SimCEduwjlvodYS0ITN00pJP3CydroU5QMGtRWxAyacTfobVHylYtQZ7LQRfQ/s640/Snowflakes+067.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain - Fold 1" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now fold the pyramid in half, along line B, again keeping the labeled lines on the top.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GB318tpJgs8/UMelyuWp9BI/AAAAAAAABTY/6wdoxQB1I4o/s1600/Snowflakes+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Fold 2" border="0" height="556" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GB318tpJgs8/UMelyuWp9BI/AAAAAAAABTY/6wdoxQB1I4o/s640/Snowflakes+068.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Fold 2" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now you're going to fold the triangle into thirds. It's not essential that your lines line up perfectly here. Sometimes they will, sometimes they won't, depending on how straight you cut your lines and how straight your folding was.<br />
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Fold first along Line C.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6bqe7sHClV4/UMelzA8gAEI/AAAAAAAABTc/tg3HKerAlXo/s1600/Snowflakes+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Fold 3" border="0" height="532" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6bqe7sHClV4/UMelzA8gAEI/AAAAAAAABTc/tg3HKerAlXo/s640/Snowflakes+069.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Fold 3" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fold for the last section overtop of the Line C section to create a final product that looks kind of like an arrow or a wonky paper airplane.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_xlsgugJgePEyw6m-l3LjW0lEd8gYVw21p_7zvgsHtwKeLy8CtqnV8GItyseKRQaF5LPny-6z0ASrDUAn14xXCkJuyh8sV6stJ9afaxlVL63i8VGGvcUBEnKBhv0hmAcrNEzgUOIToCR/s1600/Snowflakes+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Fold 4" border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_xlsgugJgePEyw6m-l3LjW0lEd8gYVw21p_7zvgsHtwKeLy8CtqnV8GItyseKRQaF5LPny-6z0ASrDUAn14xXCkJuyh8sV6stJ9afaxlVL63i8VGGvcUBEnKBhv0hmAcrNEzgUOIToCR/s640/Snowflakes+072.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Fold 4" width="640" /></a></div>
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Flip your arrow over and cut off the tips.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkGrwsBO6fkHUcR9aCqGDAT97MXl59QlNZu3GTTaYeXN7ZIoIH0dI6ZtDamHHHyli1dDuekIW_dtp5W2XQSgk5K4ODa0BAON9T9sFWrhxNK3eu2YIc1wsG548f9ZQueBz85UtGroyA4dl/s1600/Snowflakes+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Cut Ends" border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkGrwsBO6fkHUcR9aCqGDAT97MXl59QlNZu3GTTaYeXN7ZIoIH0dI6ZtDamHHHyli1dDuekIW_dtp5W2XQSgk5K4ODa0BAON9T9sFWrhxNK3eu2YIc1wsG548f9ZQueBz85UtGroyA4dl/s640/Snowflakes+073.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Cut Ends" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now all you've gotta do is cut out your designs! If you're using my templates - I think this goes without saying, but just in case - cut out the grey sections. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EwWHvPaLo94/UMel48c5aoI/AAAAAAAABUo/ogxTnJG9IV8/s1600/Snowflakes+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Templates & Cut Outs" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EwWHvPaLo94/UMel48c5aoI/AAAAAAAABUo/ogxTnJG9IV8/s640/Snowflakes+086.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Templates & Cut Outs" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHxegDPuYa2qkZOrtLamz3y_d1G7juyTn3jkwcF9lGBSxG3nlLDSb-tbIgD2rvJ0E2H46yvXZomlBGOBWSqstny6etmRf_v1hW3jfas9V3I26EdHn-24QXPeGvJAepSGCsvpq6Z2iEms6/s1600/Snowflakes+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Template 1 folded, cut out and final product" border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHxegDPuYa2qkZOrtLamz3y_d1G7juyTn3jkwcF9lGBSxG3nlLDSb-tbIgD2rvJ0E2H46yvXZomlBGOBWSqstny6etmRf_v1hW3jfas9V3I26EdHn-24QXPeGvJAepSGCsvpq6Z2iEms6/s640/Snowflakes+094.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Template 1 Start to Finish" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDZgfdlCMO8/UMel7VAPuUI/AAAAAAAABVE/H0gqsw69QOY/s1600/Snowflakes+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Template 2 folded, cut out and final product" border="0" height="346" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDZgfdlCMO8/UMel7VAPuUI/AAAAAAAABVE/H0gqsw69QOY/s640/Snowflakes+095.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Template 2 Start to Finish" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmoxSfZl4K_3G3RsG10xrvvrSJhf8DZXIYjVW0luC4QoV-sEm7vSD1ZVwIDYr6jTuzLbzvJZXuCoe1RuxAfoHEQj17Qk2k4eAH1viFCkhdZ0CfheKOcMR2q389gEeS6UhsYyRv0TihKZ-/s1600/Snowflakes+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Template 3 folded, cut out and final product" border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmoxSfZl4K_3G3RsG10xrvvrSJhf8DZXIYjVW0luC4QoV-sEm7vSD1ZVwIDYr6jTuzLbzvJZXuCoe1RuxAfoHEQj17Qk2k4eAH1viFCkhdZ0CfheKOcMR2q389gEeS6UhsYyRv0TihKZ-/s640/Snowflakes+106.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Template 3 Start to Finish" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2hhU1ssmACw/UMemALeDVMI/AAAAAAAABWM/dgQNS5bXrG0/s1600/Snowflakes+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Template 4 folded, cut out and final product" border="0" height="412" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2hhU1ssmACw/UMemALeDVMI/AAAAAAAABWM/dgQNS5bXrG0/s640/Snowflakes+110.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Template 4 Start to Finish" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you feel like it, grab some pretty scrapbook paper and print out the template on the back or just eyeball it. Scrapbook paper is already a square (12"x12"), so that makes it easy to fold without the template.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpaiLb5_IzhtcV2A-PQFUPXDk30D4M2wlHum8TJHmSoTVXuFoByc-aTd3OwxiSDAL42_XXPQcvT_N7uGQMwzvsX3YfWqfDvNypnEL14sIpHvKjYoFZx0LwR6MDT80Lsw5eNNSkiVQbQ00/s1600/Snowflakes+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Scrapbook paper free-hand" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpaiLb5_IzhtcV2A-PQFUPXDk30D4M2wlHum8TJHmSoTVXuFoByc-aTd3OwxiSDAL42_XXPQcvT_N7uGQMwzvsX3YfWqfDvNypnEL14sIpHvKjYoFZx0LwR6MDT80Lsw5eNNSkiVQbQ00/s640/Snowflakes+114.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Scrapbook paper free-hand" width="640" /></a></div>
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And now, cut as many of them as you want. I'll be honest, I cut out what feels like a bajillion of these things and I still haven't figured out the mechanics of the folded snowflake. I can't tell you where your cuts will show up or what they'll look like when you open up the folds. Think of it as a fun surprise!<br />
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When you've got a big old pile of snowflakes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwG-rKGdST3VTav11QuFku8xeTjj8t0Myh69idihHR5KtduIVK8dYpfYmtZV-CjfTZbvfxukkfuVASeItI2OCIhL7F4ihyRtuOWgwI1DeBaevx7ndAnEbQO-cPDCAqyBf8zSX8UhOTTkuD/s1600/Snowflakes+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - bajillions of snowflakes" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwG-rKGdST3VTav11QuFku8xeTjj8t0Myh69idihHR5KtduIVK8dYpfYmtZV-CjfTZbvfxukkfuVASeItI2OCIhL7F4ihyRtuOWgwI1DeBaevx7ndAnEbQO-cPDCAqyBf8zSX8UhOTTkuD/s640/Snowflakes+115.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - bajillions of snowflakes" width="640" /></a></div>
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And a big old pile of scraps<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMkh4_YT4aDe-U-QySdiFLn92KkPxpvRhioYzwbLpGoHN5790jJ0csqe7g1KKMSPdlk-VyLzRFy0D1C_P6Fk9xJdIsIhuc8pR4z9neMFuLwIU8JXEVLhd0U-ePdliQWeN4eKCdioeiVvs/s1600/Snowflakes+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - scraps" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMkh4_YT4aDe-U-QySdiFLn92KkPxpvRhioYzwbLpGoHN5790jJ0csqe7g1KKMSPdlk-VyLzRFy0D1C_P6Fk9xJdIsIhuc8pR4z9neMFuLwIU8JXEVLhd0U-ePdliQWeN4eKCdioeiVvs/s640/Snowflakes+116.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - scraps" width="480" /></a></div>
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Start stringing your snowflakes onto dental floss, fishing line, string, whatever you have on hand. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMqow8s_XRPB0qwf4YwXwGiA-gi1O5voVcGA_tU_HrEp5KCQWkPbvDbf8se9Y-CBfo3ZReYd3UQv6HKsK4CP0Em3YawRvLp2NH2L96ySh1VrSS_vQK3ASxVCSnO5eHRCHaFkEQKXMhsHH/s1600/Snowflakes+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Snowflake on Dental Floss" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMqow8s_XRPB0qwf4YwXwGiA-gi1O5voVcGA_tU_HrEp5KCQWkPbvDbf8se9Y-CBfo3ZReYd3UQv6HKsK4CP0Em3YawRvLp2NH2L96ySh1VrSS_vQK3ASxVCSnO5eHRCHaFkEQKXMhsHH/s640/Snowflakes+117.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Snowflake on Dental Floss" width="522" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY3QRa18Phw/UMemHBY9NgI/AAAAAAAABXE/yL8P8l2x3CE/s1600/Snowflakes+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Snowflake on Dental Floss, taped" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY3QRa18Phw/UMemHBY9NgI/AAAAAAAABXE/yL8P8l2x3CE/s640/Snowflakes+118.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Snowflake on Dental Floss, taped" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now hang it up and admire your handy work!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--pFh11_HpvE/UMemHtOQC_I/AAAAAAAABXM/Lugc-ZB3N7w/s1600/Snowflakes+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - First Strand Hung Up" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--pFh11_HpvE/UMemHtOQC_I/AAAAAAAABXM/Lugc-ZB3N7w/s640/Snowflakes+119.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - First Strand Hung Up" width="480" /></a></div>
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Hold up, you're not done yet! Keep stringing snowflakes until you're happy with how it looks or until you run out of cut snowflakes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_w7Vv_AgqU0O0xgDJBcOvpJx0S9WFb5hZM6Cb0Au20CGwTf6mpjoFuICqwnV8EnoKDY3tO7KOgKOcZPmc5oFrFiaGqiN4tSlX4shz8udgJtfnyjwP2AU06jb9hVTd5bMJiyXUbyuwLk1/s1600/Snowflakes+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Finished Product Close Up" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_w7Vv_AgqU0O0xgDJBcOvpJx0S9WFb5hZM6Cb0Au20CGwTf6mpjoFuICqwnV8EnoKDY3tO7KOgKOcZPmc5oFrFiaGqiN4tSlX4shz8udgJtfnyjwP2AU06jb9hVTd5bMJiyXUbyuwLk1/s640/Snowflakes+126.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Finished Product Close Up" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwealv3GMkBw3B71fbO3ZExs3-1DErnYk_NN0HavJzqHKXC6U-B9V-H56akCEdR7OAuuVchR-G83d8izTgrON_oUB2eqEdmIyiSiKhmMzuhealg8osAuOJBAOC3Ms4BsLDkGz1CO6xWfi-/s1600/Snowflakes+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Finished Product Entire Window" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwealv3GMkBw3B71fbO3ZExs3-1DErnYk_NN0HavJzqHKXC6U-B9V-H56akCEdR7OAuuVchR-G83d8izTgrON_oUB2eqEdmIyiSiKhmMzuhealg8osAuOJBAOC3Ms4BsLDkGz1CO6xWfi-/s640/Snowflakes+136.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Finished Product Entire Window" width="620" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk68TlZz1KhLV9lmSF_Y4yYbeTWJLpK5IvnzKi7x592XXVLqlxGLrZBX9VXd5NmVGuCjwjtKnsVM21w_kbKtSyhYp3OKjAhleCnzamoQe3UY-LmqxQlQn9i6E-mu1JRhJWqsqocg7RzZ-E/s1600/Snowflakes+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Finished Product Entire Window" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk68TlZz1KhLV9lmSF_Y4yYbeTWJLpK5IvnzKi7x592XXVLqlxGLrZBX9VXd5NmVGuCjwjtKnsVM21w_kbKtSyhYp3OKjAhleCnzamoQe3UY-LmqxQlQn9i6E-mu1JRhJWqsqocg7RzZ-E/s640/Snowflakes+125.JPG" title="Paper Snowflake Curtain Tutorial - Finished Product Entire Window" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Helpful hint: Once you hang up these strands of snowflakes, make sure
to cut off any extra string at the bottom. Otherwise, your cute little
dog may think it's a toy made just for her and rip the whole dang thing
down! This may or may not have happened 4 minutes after I finished this
project.<br />
<br />
Linking Up To:<br />
<a href="http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w351/laurenjh04/buttonashtor200.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Background Noise for This Project: Buffy the Vampire Slayer - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppelgangland" target="_blank">Season Three: Episode 16</a> & <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enemies_%28Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer%29" target="_blank">Episode 17</a></span></span>Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-28367670741929106952012-11-21T08:42:00.003-05:002012-11-21T08:43:02.263-05:00Thankful<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKwHn_OOgGlz1wUOL-VZKnqx12YeLBrnmxRiHBh-prhaydUVCJAOOPN5E6wKKezncJwWi9iED6Sr5qMzCQK2GPSqV9zEp3fzrdQo0ltx1vCm41uYwqGaDVm1RLztrngbHqMj3UFyx7I3B/s1600/Hand+Turkey+Kitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKwHn_OOgGlz1wUOL-VZKnqx12YeLBrnmxRiHBh-prhaydUVCJAOOPN5E6wKKezncJwWi9iED6Sr5qMzCQK2GPSqV9zEp3fzrdQo0ltx1vCm41uYwqGaDVm1RLztrngbHqMj3UFyx7I3B/s640/Hand+Turkey+Kitty.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cheezburger.com/5464562432" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happy pre-Thanksgiving to those in the US that are celebrating! Tomorrow Dude and I are hosting (his Mom is doing most of the cooking, don't worry) about 20 people at our house, so if you could say a little prayer that all of our animals are behaving, I'd appreciate it! Either way, I definitely will not have time to post anything, so I'm posting what I'm grateful for today. <br />
<br />
I am so very grateful for Dude and this conversation we had last night is just one of the many reasons:<br />
<br />
<i>Watching TV when The Hobbit trailer comes on</i><br />
Me: Great news about this movie, babe!<br />
<i></i>Dude: Is this Lord of the Rings or something else?<br />
Me: No, it's not Lord of the Rings, it's kind of like a prequel. Like Star Wars 1, 2, and 3.<br />
Dude: So it is Lord of the Rings?<br />
Me: No, it's about Bilbo Baggins and how he ended up getting the ring. Frodo was his nephew.<br />
Dude: So it's about young Frodo?<br />
Me: No, his uncle. <br />
Dude: So it's not Harry Potter?<br />
Me: No, not Harry Potter.<br />
Dude: You're going to blog about this aren't you? <br />
<br />Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-76028591831485384682012-11-20T11:44:00.002-05:002012-11-20T11:44:41.492-05:00Sunday Morning 11.18.12Holy crazy eventful weekend! <br />
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Dizzy's wedding was this weekend, with the rehearsal dinner on Friday and the actual wedding on Saturday night. We rented a hotel room on Saturday so Dude would have somewhere to get ready for the wedding and so I wouldn't be stuck being the DD like I always am! Let's just say I stopped keeping track of the rum and Coke's I was drinking after 4...<br />
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Anyways, after brunch and checking out of the hotel, I had the joy of trying to find my car in the maze of the parking garage underneath the hotel.<br />
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By some miracle, I discovered this picture in my phone and subsequently found my car! No clue when I took it...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iSCM-TMsLAbLPjLRheH0VePHxE4qNjykwODwmpGUCCCHYnKq7Xt85XTxPuvyJjUgsUC8oB-q-b-bq7gFalT2za1JRWNrx9j3cnM4ww8MHZu1Y0XnG5pLlTk5DzEKr8zET5UcnSCouZ8d/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunday Morning - Parking Spot Number" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iSCM-TMsLAbLPjLRheH0VePHxE4qNjykwODwmpGUCCCHYnKq7Xt85XTxPuvyJjUgsUC8oB-q-b-bq7gFalT2za1JRWNrx9j3cnM4ww8MHZu1Y0XnG5pLlTk5DzEKr8zET5UcnSCouZ8d/s640/IMG_1352.JPG" title="Sunday Morning - Parking Spot Number" width="478" /></a></div>
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After finding my car, Dude and I came home and more or less passed out while I listened to the Hobbit soundtrack (sorry if you missed it, the post has been removed now in anticipation of the release on December 10th) -<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7xdNK3geog/UKuyEPzkyrI/AAAAAAAABRE/jTxBfXyN0SQ/s1600/IMG_1341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunday Morning Tunes - Hobbit, Unexpected Journey Screenshot" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7xdNK3geog/UKuyEPzkyrI/AAAAAAAABRE/jTxBfXyN0SQ/s640/IMG_1341.JPG" title="Sunday Morning Tunes - Hobbit, Unexpected Journey" width="640" /></a></div>
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Woke up from the nap and hung out with this little girl in the sunshine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E7FxTMVE-OvGEJ6jGMy-iXtW3riiBN3N6STpbGrPzh-m5Q4w2buYeqPrD0XYch3tqvJT6zTGpOUvBZNVm7peueS6GgaSCOFECm9LLyGHXHMDGpkOUGZBJQgCvZLzxTnuMzQHJASwXBJS/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunday Morning Sunshine - Pepper & my slippers" border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E7FxTMVE-OvGEJ6jGMy-iXtW3riiBN3N6STpbGrPzh-m5Q4w2buYeqPrD0XYch3tqvJT6zTGpOUvBZNVm7peueS6GgaSCOFECm9LLyGHXHMDGpkOUGZBJQgCvZLzxTnuMzQHJASwXBJS/s640/IMG_1354.JPG" title="Sunday Morning Sunshine - Pepper & Slippers" width="640" /></a></div>
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And I don't think I took my slippers off the rest of the night...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--nLpgUMSvhQ/UKuyFlcYLsI/AAAAAAAABRc/J3mBqarQnh4/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunday Snuggles" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--nLpgUMSvhQ/UKuyFlcYLsI/AAAAAAAABRc/J3mBqarQnh4/s640/IMG_1355.JPG" title="Sunday Snuggles" width="478" /></a></div>
Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-55975680183454428762012-11-16T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-05T13:26:59.605-05:00One & Done: Homemade Wedding Card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GYCsmTyRQw/UKFEDhqpW-I/AAAAAAAABQ0/sDRJN-WvDg4/s1600/Wedding+Card+Title+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cute Junk I've Made: Homemade Wedding Card" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GYCsmTyRQw/UKFEDhqpW-I/AAAAAAAABQ0/sDRJN-WvDg4/s640/Wedding+Card+Title+Picture.jpg" title="Cute Junk I've Made: Homemade Wedding Card" width="504" /></a></div>
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I'm starting a new feature here at Cute Junk called One & Done. Any projects listed under that tag will take less than an hour to complete. If you're looking for a quick crafting fix, that's the tag for you! No promises on how many of these I'll upload but it's on my radar now!<br />
<br />
Ok, so Dude's boyfriend Dizzy, (seriously, Dude had to upgrade his cell phone plan to accommodate all the talking they were doing) is getting married next week. Dude is the best man; and this is the second-to-last of Dude's boyfriends to tie the knot; and even though the wedding is in town, we got a hotel room so we can both drink! So this wedding is kind of big deal.<br />
<br />
I knew I wanted to make them a special card since I used up my "<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/57896724/you-cant-say-happiness-without-penis" target="_blank">You Can't Say Happiness Without Penis</a>" card awhile ago. I saw <a href="http://www.loristamps.com/lori_stamps/2009/09/bride-and-groom-card.html" target="_blank">this</a> super cute card in Pinterest and decided to recreate it with my own spin.<br />
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Let's get the obvious out of the way. My dang card is backwards; and let's be honest, the dots along the bottom are so wonky, I should tell Dizzy and Danielle I was drunk when I made it to save myself the embarrassment of saying that was done under no influence at all.<br />
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Glad that's out of the way. Don't worry, I'll tell you how to make the card so yours isn't backwards.<br />
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Ok, grab your stuff:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpouZuiJ1OTnZQtfJYb3NwxmAGIpdJrm0F_-Bo-uCaRgWoFI7f9IqTheC5pPMVta8B4evGLEEYDs8qmuCO98FeFR9yg4LoPfkRC3YfuysiDmMVjDtHxjEaeCQ5MBpicWOJyK9m1XHMw4DD/s1600/Meat+Man+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - scissors, template, ribbon glue stick, puff paint" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpouZuiJ1OTnZQtfJYb3NwxmAGIpdJrm0F_-Bo-uCaRgWoFI7f9IqTheC5pPMVta8B4evGLEEYDs8qmuCO98FeFR9yg4LoPfkRC3YfuysiDmMVjDtHxjEaeCQ5MBpicWOJyK9m1XHMw4DD/s640/Meat+Man+027.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - Supplies" width="566" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.loristamps.com/lori_stamps/2009/09/bride-and-groom-card.html" target="_blank">Wedding Card Template from Lori Stamps</a></li>
<li>Scissors (a paper cutter with a scoring blade would also be helpful_</li>
<li>Glue stick</li>
<li>3 pieces of scrapbook paper - one white fancy one, one plain black one, and one piece in a color of your choosing - it's for the bowtie. Alternatively, you could use the black </li>
<li>One piece of white cardstock </li>
<li>Embellishments - I used a piece of grey ribbon and grey craft paint that matched the paper I picked out for the bowtie.</li>
</ul>
Here's a close-up of the paper I picked out - <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTkHEiZmclY/UKEzHOYKbNI/AAAAAAAABPY/n54JrT4Xwpo/s1600/Meat+Man+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - scrapbook paper" border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTkHEiZmclY/UKEzHOYKbNI/AAAAAAAABPY/n54JrT4Xwpo/s400/Meat+Man+031.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - Paper" width="311" /></a> </div>
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<br />
Ok first, cut out the pieces of the template. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PPdGz5ZAzu8/UKEzHxkjlqI/AAAAAAAABPg/ldDATuvWaUQ/s1600/Meat+Man+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - stencil pieces (4)" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PPdGz5ZAzu8/UKEzHxkjlqI/AAAAAAAABPg/ldDATuvWaUQ/s640/Meat+Man+033.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - Template Pieces" width="640" /></a></div>
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I wanted to have my dress strapless, so if you like the straps, keep the template the way it is and skip to the next step.<br />
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I'm a complete idiot when it comes to drawing, so I cut out the dress from the template, then lined it up over top of a white piece of copy paper to get my proportions right. Then I cut the top of the dress off at the waist and drew a half heart-looking thing where the straps used to be. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_n42drG9kxE/UKEzJga3G5I/AAAAAAAABPw/851Veuiwqdg/s1600/Meat+Man+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - Dress stencil to strapless" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_n42drG9kxE/UKEzJga3G5I/AAAAAAAABPw/851Veuiwqdg/s640/Meat+Man+037.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - Dress Stencil" width="419" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37YyFUcpIUqb69rD_AMrM53Orv18yEfSdwMcyXMFFLPme8mtDdDHKfU6uikD0spd24thyphenhypheniS55ArkchW4mKmXpE1JUNq1PHfBaP0l74TXOaNCrcQMYTImAMzBVUJ3okqHesbemAoEUkjNc/s1600/Meat+Man+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - New strapless dress stencil " border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37YyFUcpIUqb69rD_AMrM53Orv18yEfSdwMcyXMFFLPme8mtDdDHKfU6uikD0spd24thyphenhypheniS55ArkchW4mKmXpE1JUNq1PHfBaP0l74TXOaNCrcQMYTImAMzBVUJ3okqHesbemAoEUkjNc/s640/Meat+Man+038.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - New strapless dress stencil " width="572" /></a></div>
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<br />If you made a new dress stencil, cut it out. Now we're up to speed with the rest of the class. <br />
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Line your stencil up on your fancy white paper, trace it and cut it out. <br />
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Then grab the weirdly shaped stencil piece and trace it onto the FRONT of your black scrapbook paper. If you line it up on the back like you were taught in elementary school, your whole flipping card will be backwards; and if you're clueless you won't notice until the end and then be too irritated to start it all over. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9E67_dIcNngfPXJeUKPd8zhVOfhyGTAig_p1wNZK8QKRJIQyxUsG8z2Hc5bWfCueNL-wn568YlXWG_MIOdN8_c3pciQ2erx-osSnXUOrD-J5wqLpgSzBQthONgJlxovr7j7YPQqAlgc6/s1600/Meat+Man+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - Black paper stencil tracing" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9E67_dIcNngfPXJeUKPd8zhVOfhyGTAig_p1wNZK8QKRJIQyxUsG8z2Hc5bWfCueNL-wn568YlXWG_MIOdN8_c3pciQ2erx-osSnXUOrD-J5wqLpgSzBQthONgJlxovr7j7YPQqAlgc6/s640/Meat+Man+035.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - Black paper stencil tracing" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stupid tracing on the back of the paper...</td></tr>
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Cut out that piece and line up the dress to match up with the right side of the black piece like so -<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atScInEgXU8/UKEzKNKJNZI/AAAAAAAABP4/FkCfcF9dl7c/s1600/Meat+Man+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - dress on black paper" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atScInEgXU8/UKEzKNKJNZI/AAAAAAAABP4/FkCfcF9dl7c/s640/Meat+Man+039.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - dress on black paper" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you did this right, your swoopy side will be on the right, NOT the left</td></tr>
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If you have any excess where the black and white pieces don't line up (I did), cut it off. Then, glue the dress to the black paper.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UjSFRdP7KY/UKEzKiirezI/AAAAAAAABP8/9afuvrxfEAw/s1600/Meat+Man+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - dress on black paper excess removed" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UjSFRdP7KY/UKEzKiirezI/AAAAAAAABP8/9afuvrxfEAw/s640/Meat+Man+040.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - dress on black paper excess removed" width="490" /></a></div>
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Next, trace the diamond-shaped stencil onto your white cardstock. Cut out the white diamond piece and glue it to the black paper. I glued mine maybe a half-inch higher than the top of the dress, but do what makes you happy. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXNwd96eiw7nzbuSaSwQ5rnR8-zrUNfc_0YOV93z4CE5Lu4sJnzi_W8ESIX8polL7gCXJdYEbz2DbcWCuTXlFI2E6Voxgs1agXDOmwyZobthxhArOecwuFlMV9EmGr-7lyCizRql1lMqj/s1600/Meat+Man+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - shirt stencil added" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXNwd96eiw7nzbuSaSwQ5rnR8-zrUNfc_0YOV93z4CE5Lu4sJnzi_W8ESIX8polL7gCXJdYEbz2DbcWCuTXlFI2E6Voxgs1agXDOmwyZobthxhArOecwuFlMV9EmGr-7lyCizRql1lMqj/s640/Meat+Man+042.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - shirt stencil added" width="496" /></a></div>
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Copy the bowtie stencil onto whatever paper you're using. In my case, I traced it onto the grey paper I bought. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcumwdo3rf9KIvC44F32C5Jg1S_FkerTwedXRsXL1Iyt5sXuHaiYDMRUqUlVT9ASiWvb2F_-le3h4xDMPpNhh_FXzKLYZRmn6cvL7hUBgXkcXp4AzP5JldciiyD5KoSqiTZLTjjG-UPN2/s1600/Meat+Man+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - bowtie stencil" border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcumwdo3rf9KIvC44F32C5Jg1S_FkerTwedXRsXL1Iyt5sXuHaiYDMRUqUlVT9ASiWvb2F_-le3h4xDMPpNhh_FXzKLYZRmn6cvL7hUBgXkcXp4AzP5JldciiyD5KoSqiTZLTjjG-UPN2/s640/Meat+Man+043.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - bowtie stencil" width="640" /></a></div>
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I put the tie on the diamond-shaped piece and thought it looked like it was missing something.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LKk2m3DxFqw/UKEzMIUks9I/AAAAAAAABQM/dbwnpSMp2QU/s1600/Meat+Man+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - bowtie piece on shirt close up" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LKk2m3DxFqw/UKEzMIUks9I/AAAAAAAABQM/dbwnpSMp2QU/s640/Meat+Man+044.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - bowtie piece on shirt" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I freehanded a little scrap to wrap around the middle of the bowtie. <br />
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I don't know what a bowtie looks like in real life, I'm just guessing there would be a little piece that wraps around the middle.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D8wlLf9VGoY/UKEzMy-rElI/AAAAAAAABQQ/WHOn2elv-so/s1600/Meat+Man+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - bowtie extra piece" border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D8wlLf9VGoY/UKEzMy-rElI/AAAAAAAABQQ/WHOn2elv-so/s640/Meat+Man+046.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - bowtie extra piece" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pGp81PMp6lY/UKEzND8gX1I/AAAAAAAABQU/V_93NXE2Wp8/s1600/Meat+Man+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - bowtie glued on" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pGp81PMp6lY/UKEzND8gX1I/AAAAAAAABQU/V_93NXE2Wp8/s640/Meat+Man+047.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - bowtie glued on" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much better! What is that weird turd-looking thing on the dress??</td></tr>
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Glue your bowtie on and then it's time for the best part - embellishments!! Here is where you can get creative. I added buttons to the shirt part, a belt around the waist of the dress and some dots along the bottom of the dress. If you're adding ribbon, don't forget to burn the edges!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-BOIeXpVcM/UKEzN1RibDI/AAAAAAAABQc/ZLohiJHYfjw/s1600/Meat+Man+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - burning ribbon" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-BOIeXpVcM/UKEzN1RibDI/AAAAAAAABQc/ZLohiJHYfjw/s640/Meat+Man+049.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - burning ribbon" width="640" /></a></div>
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I thought it was still missing a little something, so I scrounged through my scrapbook paper stash and found some cute flowers on a scrap piece and cut those out.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji7RQPi1tNA/UKEzOuziznI/AAAAAAAABQk/3eb20ALI3yQ/s1600/Meat+Man+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - scrap flowers" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji7RQPi1tNA/UKEzOuziznI/AAAAAAAABQk/3eb20ALI3yQ/s640/Meat+Man+053.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - scrap flowers" width="486" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JuhKn6zxrVo/UKEzPVl3AaI/AAAAAAAABQo/b-snoJR6_Xs/s1600/Meat+Man+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - Flowers on Dress" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JuhKn6zxrVo/UKEzPVl3AaI/AAAAAAAABQo/b-snoJR6_Xs/s640/Meat+Man+054.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - Flowers on Dress" width="480" /></a></div>
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When your "bride and groom" are properly embellished, all that's left is to glue them onto a card. You can buy blank cards at just about any craft store, or make one out of your leftover white cardstock. I'm impatient and didn't want to run out for a blank card, so I made one out of the leftover cardstock.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjf1q_jIKlEWkUnrZe7H6ttzE1IqLouiegsRmHSro1EQzBCKhRZb6HxBhlD52zFedEAobLtKN_MUb2SUn6g3z4R3g185nqhikueYKc7fe1nXS4X5t-HDl4ETpE9ImSbKeuL6zV5nCXRBo/s1600/Meat+Man+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Wedding Card - All together" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjf1q_jIKlEWkUnrZe7H6ttzE1IqLouiegsRmHSro1EQzBCKhRZb6HxBhlD52zFedEAobLtKN_MUb2SUn6g3z4R3g185nqhikueYKc7fe1nXS4X5t-HDl4ETpE9ImSbKeuL6zV5nCXRBo/s640/Meat+Man+055.JPG" title="Homemade Wedding Card - Done" width="504" /></a></div>
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Right about here is where I realized the whole dang card is backwards. But, even backwards it's pretty cute, especially since it took me probably 35 minutes from start to finish to complete. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Background Noise for this Project: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teacher%27s_Pet_%28Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer%29" target="_blank">Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV) - Season 1, Episode 4: Teacher's Pet</a></span></span>Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-22860351271711762552012-11-12T13:23:00.000-05:002012-11-12T13:23:19.525-05:00Sunday MorningEvery other week Dude plays bocce with his family at the park down the street, rain or shine, hot or cold, they are out there playing. This is a "No Girls Allowed" bocce league, so I get to sleep in and snuggle with the dogs all morning. Win-win, I'd say since I don't particularly relish the idea of getting out from under my nice, warm covers to go stand outside in the cold and throw big balls and little balls back and forth in a giant sandbox.<br />
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Anyhow, this means that every other week, Dude is home on Sunday mornings with me and we get to make breakfast! Since this whole gluten free shenanigans started, we've been stuck in a bit of a rut making omelettes (Blogger is saying I'm spelling that wrong and wants to substitute it with meddlesome).<br />
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Well, yesterday morning I woke up and had a craving for french toast. So I ran to the store to pick up some GF bread and eggs while Dude started the bacon in the oven.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xsc3w3IzNc/UKE8jkEH0HI/AAAAAAAABN4/RdHkidkTKv0/s1600/Meat+Man+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunday Morning Breakfast - french toast ingredients" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xsc3w3IzNc/UKE8jkEH0HI/AAAAAAAABN4/RdHkidkTKv0/s640/Meat+Man+008.JPG" title="Sunday Morning Breakfast - French Toast Ingredients" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had the brilliant idea of crunchy french toast, so I smooshed up some cornflakes and honey-roasted cashews.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7y9so4zxV8/UKE7-4w6SGI/AAAAAAAABNA/sCent--Gyac/s1600/Meat+Man+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunday Morning Breakfast - Crunchy french toast, pre-skillet" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7y9so4zxV8/UKE7-4w6SGI/AAAAAAAABNA/sCent--Gyac/s640/Meat+Man+018.JPG" title="Sunday Morning Breakfast - Crunchy french toast, pre-skillet" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6FPyY-P2Os/UKE7_fvJNfI/AAAAAAAABNI/-OOSmU-eikM/s1600/Meat+Man+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunday Morning Breakfast - Dude and Helper" border="0" height="578" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6FPyY-P2Os/UKE7_fvJNfI/AAAAAAAABNI/-OOSmU-eikM/s640/Meat+Man+019.JPG" title="Sunday Morning Breakfast - Dude and Helper" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the little helper hoping for some scraps! ...Pepper, not Dude.</td></tr>
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So, Dude throws these bad boys in a skillet and approximately 14 seconds later, our house fills with smoke, the smoke alarm is going off, dogs are going nuts, and I grab the closest thing to wave the smoke away from the smoke detector - a dinner plate.<br />
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No, I don't know why I grabbed it.<br />
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Yes, I know that's probably the dumbest thing ever to use as a fan.<br />
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Why didn't I grab a cookie sheet? They're right under the sink? I KNOW GOSH.<br />
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Approximately 14 seconds after using my makeshift fan to save our house from burning down, I turn into the worst Mom ever and bash the plate off of Pepper's face (I didn't know she was standing behind me, I swear!).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dHroG9VvKJw/UKE7_3VdxmI/AAAAAAAABNM/wvwnwL7Oo8U/s1600/Meat+Man+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunday Morning Breakfast - The "Fan" aka broken plate" border="0" height="576" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dHroG9VvKJw/UKE7_3VdxmI/AAAAAAAABNM/wvwnwL7Oo8U/s640/Meat+Man+021.JPG" title="Sunday Morning Breakfast - The "Fan"" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thankfully, it broke off cleanly and there were no shards of ceramic stuck in my baby girl's face, but you can bet that she got an influx of treats all day! She didn't flinch or yelp or anything, in fact, right after I hit her, she blinked once and then went to lick the piece that broke off.<br />
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But the french toast was good!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LbYNSm5m4TA/UKE790fHuyI/AAAAAAAABM0/N2fy7yCz4U4/s1600/Meat+Man+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunday Morning Breakfast - crunchy french toast in the skillet" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LbYNSm5m4TA/UKE790fHuyI/AAAAAAAABM0/N2fy7yCz4U4/s640/Meat+Man+017.JPG" title="Sunday Morning Breakfast - crunchy french toast in the skillet" width="640" /></a></div>
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And of course, no Sunday morning is complete without some good tunes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixh22P9T_BYHADXz06vE_8aHoAmh1BzDac_qQBSDhchoPBNanYL-um-xb-3OEdnyDfeJsRc_Y0qulERm5P9WtniBAxq3bbpvOBfI3RcxxQ6VUawaOHvvUieIz5ZUIVxYxLfeFQQA3KBf0/s1600/Meat+Man+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunday Morning Breakfast - Tunes - William Elloitt Whitmore, Mumford & Sons" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixh22P9T_BYHADXz06vE_8aHoAmh1BzDac_qQBSDhchoPBNanYL-um-xb-3OEdnyDfeJsRc_Y0qulERm5P9WtniBAxq3bbpvOBfI3RcxxQ6VUawaOHvvUieIz5ZUIVxYxLfeFQQA3KBf0/s640/Meat+Man+016.JPG" title="Sunday Morning Breakfast - Tunes" width="640" /></a></div>
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Proof that Pepper lives and is (relatively) damage free -<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8di2uCgRu2g/UKE780vBvXI/AAAAAAAABMk/dg4KVghDOG4/s1600/Meat+Man+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunday Morning Breakfast - Pepper & Ball" border="0" height="398" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8di2uCgRu2g/UKE780vBvXI/AAAAAAAABMk/dg4KVghDOG4/s640/Meat+Man+014.JPG" title="Sunday Morning Breakfast - Pepper & Ball" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thinking of making this Sunday Morning post a regular thing...Thoughts?Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-43598263103971193272012-11-09T15:18:00.004-05:002013-02-05T13:26:59.603-05:00Puppy Print Memorial Frame<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkveo2HbXQc/UJ1hNBhXHuI/AAAAAAAABHY/A8aSxUhf-Lo/s1600/Sandy+Memorial+Frame+Title+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkveo2HbXQc/UJ1hNBhXHuI/AAAAAAAABHY/A8aSxUhf-Lo/s640/Sandy+Memorial+Frame+Title+Picture.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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In January of this year, I said goodbye to my first dog - Sandy. I got her when I was 13; and she was my best buddy from the first minute I met her. Dude would always say she was <i>my</i> dog. He said she got excited to see him, but whenever I came home from work, she would turn into a puppy again. <br />
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The last year of her life was a tough one for her - she gradually stopped barking and her movements became slower; and getting up out of her bed was difficult. But, to the end, she was always a little booger. One time, I brought home a berry pie, ate some (right out of the pan, like a heathen!) and then left the pie on the coffee table without thinking about it. Dude and I went out and when we came back, Sandy's entire muzzle was purple and the pie pan was licked clean!!<br />
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Another time, Dude and I bought enough pizza to feed an army, I left some on the table and this little 20-pound dog jumped onto the table, pulled one box down and ate an entire large cheese pizza <u>by herself</u>!<br />
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One last food story - I had a friend from Holland who brought me a box of Hagelslag. Sounds weird, but it's essentially chocolate sprinkles that you put on toast. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBaApxnIldw/UJ1jHnwVPwI/AAAAAAAABHg/XTpSS9zUtPQ/s1600/Hagelslag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBaApxnIldw/UJ1jHnwVPwI/AAAAAAAABHg/XTpSS9zUtPQ/s320/Hagelslag.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://stuffdutchpeoplelike.com/2011/03/06/hagelslag/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyhow, I had the box in my work bag; Sandy pulled it out and shredded it. I got home and there were little chocolate sprinkles EVERYWHERE. Matted in her fur, all over the floor, on her snout, all through her bed... <br />
<br />
<br />
I made the decision to put her down in January; and even though it was the hardest thing I've ever done, I don't regret it. The last few months of her life, I don't think she was ever able to sit down and relax; but when I held her for the last time in the vet's office and felt her muscles finally relax, I knew I was doing the right thing.<br />
<br />
Before we took her to the vet that night, I made two imprints of her paws with an ink pad. I didn't know what I would do with them, but I knew I wanted some kind of remembrance of her. Then I was browsing Pinterest a few months ago, found <a href="http://www.mylittlemess.net/2011/11/fall-pinterest-challenge-reveal.html" target="_blank">this</a>,and was inspired. <br />
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<br />
Originally I planned on doing a full tutorial, but seriously, this is so simple, there's no real need for a tutorial. But if you want to make this at home, here's what you'll need:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzk6gpNwTC2JodPEc6Ear4jCDY2hXWFKazR62omakWJBdR65XWUdEhrEZcuMTdnAOxtK0hvvNEyQ3cLXgL62ChmQA-Nb_1NQOPJudF4R0EiRV6N4PDGEVBEgR3TzXm5Wv5IgYEa4LoJEW/s1600/Skirt+Fail+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Puppy Print Memorial Frame - Supplies - frame, picture, pawprints, gluestick" border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzk6gpNwTC2JodPEc6Ear4jCDY2hXWFKazR62omakWJBdR65XWUdEhrEZcuMTdnAOxtK0hvvNEyQ3cLXgL62ChmQA-Nb_1NQOPJudF4R0EiRV6N4PDGEVBEgR3TzXm5Wv5IgYEa4LoJEW/s640/Skirt+Fail+077.JPG" title="Puppy Print Memorial Frame - Supplies" width="640" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>A long picture frame, I got mine at Wal-Mart for $3!</li>
<li>Adhesive of some sort - a glue stick/Mod Podge/Glue Dots/whatever you have on hand</li>
<li>Either a custom mat for the frame or make one yourself out of posterboard like I did</li>
<li>Puppy prints</li>
<li>Your favorite picture of your pooch</li>
</ul>
Once you've got all this, measure your picture and center it on your mat. When you're happy with the placement, glue it down.<br />
<br />
Next, cut out your puppy prints and place them on the mat as well.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mf5HDA5ScdY/UJ1PY6MSK_I/AAAAAAAABGY/RgoHQV3D6eM/s1600/Skirt+Fail+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Puppy Print Memorial Frame - photo and pawprints on mat" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mf5HDA5ScdY/UJ1PY6MSK_I/AAAAAAAABGY/RgoHQV3D6eM/s640/Skirt+Fail+079.JPG" title="Puppy Print Memorial Frame - Prints and Photo" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Now you've got a little dead space between the prints and the photo. I used that to write Sandy's name and the years she was alive. <br />
<br />
I free-handed the lettering after finding a font I liked (it's called <a href="http://www.dafont.com/bready.font?" target="_blank">Bready</a> if you're wondering) on my computer because that was easiest for me at the time. If you are good with measuring and numbers, you could really do all of this in Photoshop and just print it out directly on your mat.<br />
<br />
To be honest, I like the homemade feel of this and I like being able to look at those paw prints and see the actual paper she was standing on, not just printed versions of her paws. <br />
<br />
Anyhow, once you've got everything together on your mat (printed or glued), all that's left is to put it in the frame and hang it up!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxyyATm9yg8/UJ1PZgowohI/AAAAAAAABGg/cvHwZFCECfc/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Puppy Print Memorial Frame - Finished Product" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxyyATm9yg8/UJ1PZgowohI/AAAAAAAABGg/cvHwZFCECfc/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+038.JPG" title="Puppy Print Memorial Frame - Finished Product" width="378" /></a></div>
<br />
This would also be a neat thing to put in a shadow box with your dogs collar or favorite toy or even just the tags from their collar. For me, seeing her little paw prints is enough. I am so thankful I was able to have the time with her before she died to get the prints. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Background Noise for this Project: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7:15_A.M." target="_blank">Once Upon A Time (TV) - Episode 10: 7:15am</a></span></span>Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-38518888473178212492012-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-05T13:27:24.809-05:00Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbKq_5dGNZ1Qouj2vB0TnD0VKIlmItpqCySW_eC6gl7tnClYCTNzS4LYEEU2kq4ORYfuNPUIe8qo9QpLOCBoD_k5iEAd4V1VNPbUpVwW_Bi5vYKVZbadd08aCS4ng0cjVIfebvsZO_lHF/s1600/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+Title+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt" border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbKq_5dGNZ1Qouj2vB0TnD0VKIlmItpqCySW_eC6gl7tnClYCTNzS4LYEEU2kq4ORYfuNPUIe8qo9QpLOCBoD_k5iEAd4V1VNPbUpVwW_Bi5vYKVZbadd08aCS4ng0cjVIfebvsZO_lHF/s640/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+Title+Image.jpg" title="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
If you <a href="http://followgram.me/fiestyred36/" target="_blank">follow me</a> on Instagram (if you're not, why aren't you??), you'll know that since JULY I have been attempting to locate a pint of Haagen Dazs' Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream. I FINALLY found one pint at Rite Aid and immediately posted this picture to my Instagram feed. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBM4L179gzZyABjO_tWiK-H0PSLL-MbWkYxeAqhPrxXDpTYIQB-MyEQzY_8P1Z4_hR6WR1kFvgFORtimFgNq1W1YjpI0DitHqs0bNLea8YsoSJb8ps5_pFEjWGwDUol589oiA3SzEtwhkd/s1600/Instagrammin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBM4L179gzZyABjO_tWiK-H0PSLL-MbWkYxeAqhPrxXDpTYIQB-MyEQzY_8P1Z4_hR6WR1kFvgFORtimFgNq1W1YjpI0DitHqs0bNLea8YsoSJb8ps5_pFEjWGwDUol589oiA3SzEtwhkd/s400/Instagrammin.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Kids, let me tell you now, this ice cream was miraculous. It was a tastebud party in my mouth. It was everything I was hoping for and then some. It was something like 230 calories for a half cup serving.<br />
<br />
It was gone in one afternoon.<br />
<br />
So ever since my binge afternoon, I've been thinking about attempting to recreate this amazing ice cream with something that won't make me want to buy a gym membership every time I eat more than a cup.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, the weather was garbage, I was grumpy, and I wanted something fresh and light to cheer me up so I dug up my ice cream maker and started experimenting. This recipe is mostly my own experiment, but I did have some help from <a href="http://www.bakingintheburg.com/2012/05/pineapple-frozen-yogurt.html" target="_blank">this blog</a>.<br />
<br />
If you're following along with me, here's what you'll need <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NYygMR31w5w/UI6bWXrMboI/AAAAAAAABEw/UKylXz5wksM/s1600/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - Ingredients" border="0" height="440" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NYygMR31w5w/UI6bWXrMboI/AAAAAAAABEw/UKylXz5wksM/s640/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+013.JPG" title="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - Ingredients" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>2 egg whites, real or boxed, whatever you've got</li>
<li>1 cup of sifted confectioners sugar (is it confectioner<u>s</u> or confection<u>er</u>?)</li>
<li>1 cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt </li>
<li>1 tsp Vanilla extract</li>
<li>A little over 1 cup of crushed pineapple, fresh or canned</li>
<li>1/4c coconut flakes </li>
</ul>
If you're like my Dad and don't like coconut flakes, you could use coconut extract if such a thing exists instead of the flakes. Or maybe grind them up in the food processor? Whatever, I like the flakes so they're staying.<br />
<br />
I keep the bowl of my ice cream maker in the freezer at all times because I am impatient and when I want to make ice cream I want it right. now. If you don't keep your bowl in freezer, you'll need to freeze that bad boy for at least 24 hours.<br />
<br />
First up, put your egg whites in a mixing bowl and mix them until they're good and frothy.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FW2z5BG8pFc/UI6bH5Zn2wI/AAAAAAAABDQ/O8CNTWjJRP0/s1600/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FW2z5BG8pFc/UI6bH5Zn2wI/AAAAAAAABDQ/O8CNTWjJRP0/s1600/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - Mixing Egg Whites" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FW2z5BG8pFc/UI6bH5Zn2wI/AAAAAAAABDQ/O8CNTWjJRP0/s640/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+015.JPG" title="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - Mixing Egg Whites" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This may be the only time being frothy is good.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGFvN2IoKxw/UI6bIjeicFI/AAAAAAAABDY/aqkyzNRco9M/s1600/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - close up of frothy egg whites on beater" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGFvN2IoKxw/UI6bIjeicFI/AAAAAAAABDY/aqkyzNRco9M/s640/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+019.JPG" title="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - mix egg whites" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When your egg whites are frothy, gradually add in the confectioners sugar and mix until soft peaks appear and your mixture looks kind of like gooey melted marshmallow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g0hdo76RforVHUpZ7z95Uu6g9ZwQ9EW5dcfZg3YINiHc1oQNdNw2tsMBnBZ-h2P6dMnYMQx4dAIA2RvOLtd_c1T6w_1u0PRmpN66d1Y45js7kJVFaXYK3ebUtIhEMTzprf_dQPK7xv40/s1600/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - marshamallow-y egg whites and sugar" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g0hdo76RforVHUpZ7z95Uu6g9ZwQ9EW5dcfZg3YINiHc1oQNdNw2tsMBnBZ-h2P6dMnYMQx4dAIA2RvOLtd_c1T6w_1u0PRmpN66d1Y45js7kJVFaXYK3ebUtIhEMTzprf_dQPK7xv40/s640/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+021.JPG" title="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - marshamallow" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Now add in your yogurt and vanilla. If you want, you can mix up the yogurt and vanilla ahead of time, but I <strike>am lazy</strike> didn't want to wash another bowl so in they went with the egg white/sugar mixture.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YcjZ4j8PDMo/UI6bL82S2mI/AAAAAAAABD4/xDF4IidCJ28/s1600/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - Adding yogurt and vanilla" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YcjZ4j8PDMo/UI6bL82S2mI/AAAAAAAABD4/xDF4IidCJ28/s640/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+028.JPG" title="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - Add Yogurt" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mix up the yogurt and vanilla and then fold in the crushed pineapple. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ai5qN6R4UmM/UI6bMetmIPI/AAAAAAAABEA/sLJPmNV4ov0/s1600/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - adding pineapple" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ai5qN6R4UmM/UI6bMetmIPI/AAAAAAAABEA/sLJPmNV4ov0/s640/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+030.JPG" title="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - Add Pineapple" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And the coconut.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SR89dYcdSHg/UI6bNAXud4I/AAAAAAAABEI/4wkL79p-FLA/s1600/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - adding coconut" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SR89dYcdSHg/UI6bNAXud4I/AAAAAAAABEI/4wkL79p-FLA/s640/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+032.JPG" title="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - Add Coconut" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
At this point, I tasted the mixture to make sure I liked the flavor. It wasn't pineapple-y enough for me, so I added a little more crushed pineapple and some of the juice.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fALcksVrgRI/UI6bNliMUWI/AAAAAAAABEQ/eQarsicXol8/s1600/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - mixture being poured into ice cream maker" border="0" height="520" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fALcksVrgRI/UI6bNliMUWI/AAAAAAAABEQ/eQarsicXol8/s640/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+035.JPG" title="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - Ice Cream Maker" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Start up your ice cream machine and then pour the mixture into the top. Don't pour everything into the frozen bowl and then start the machine, you will regret it. Children will cry, balloons will pop; and brand new crayons will break in half. Ok, probably not but it won't be fun.<br />
<br />
From here, follow the instructions for your ice cream maker for how long you should keep it running. I have a Cuisinart and I let mine go for 25 minutes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNxt1Q6N__WbUkoAyJjbcLKX5LRpiP_LcAtoIyPaF0AAUKZbPPDDqqSrpHPCyZ_4LGeUQQrHxlsJylA6d_rKrs4e3UXK6KdxxDUFhBEqg-WclAyr7yaqYWhquzkGDDBOij2VvSknGZg3D/s1600/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt - mixture becoming frozen yogurt" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNxt1Q6N__WbUkoAyJjbcLKX5LRpiP_LcAtoIyPaF0AAUKZbPPDDqqSrpHPCyZ_4LGeUQQrHxlsJylA6d_rKrs4e3UXK6KdxxDUFhBEqg-WclAyr7yaqYWhquzkGDDBOij2VvSknGZg3D/s640/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+038.JPG" title="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt -becoming fro yo" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Is it just me or when you start your ice cream maker is the sound tolerable but after like 15 minutes you are ready to put in ear plugs because it is so. frickin. loud.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, you can eat it straight out of the machine, but it will be a little runny. If you like a firmer consistency, freeze it for a couple of hours and then eat it.<br />
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I couldn't wait!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHfD9vIlD-mhYSM2BnXE7T8aXAA38KonIZ4rygbFheAhG3zkUvzIsRVmwH2DhfsQ3L_23-0oMW8iHtioJ3yzX5tvQvxEPAuHYA-hf5HyN2bcqPqHp-dWC0V960IfVLvrmiWAK3SNmzMCI/s1600/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt" border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHfD9vIlD-mhYSM2BnXE7T8aXAA38KonIZ4rygbFheAhG3zkUvzIsRVmwH2DhfsQ3L_23-0oMW8iHtioJ3yzX5tvQvxEPAuHYA-hf5HyN2bcqPqHp-dWC0V960IfVLvrmiWAK3SNmzMCI/s640/Pineapple+Coconut+Fro+Yo+047.JPG" title="Pineapple Coconut Frozen Yogurt" width="640" /></a></div>
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Let me tell you guys, it is SO good! I was a fan of the chunks of pineapple and flakes of coconut, but Dude wasn't; so next time I might try throwing everything in the food processor instead of folding in the pineapple and coconut. <br />
<br />
This recipe made roughly 3 cups of ice cream, so based on My Fitness Pal's calculation, this frozen yogurt comes in at only 140 calories per serving. If you really wanted to skinny it up, you could use less sugar or even substitute Splenda for the confectioners sugar.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Nutritional Information</b></i><br />
Calories Per Serving: 140<br />
Carbs: 26<br />
Fat: 2<br />
Protein: 5<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Background Music for this Project: One Tree H<span style="font-size: x-small;">ill, <span style="font-size: x-small;">Season <span style="font-size: x-small;">9 - Episode 7: Last Known Surroundings</span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<br />Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-71447112983548082152012-11-02T16:25:00.000-04:002013-02-05T13:27:24.811-05:00My Favorite Granola (Bonus - It's Gluten Free!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTED_SrWPdZC2BIpJNEC4Hft__2fRwFAsiDOVlQdR33-RGnGOrn2cSuZBor5DsfHKni_WfK9ih4Hzd3S2xWkcPGq0m9NCP6XW9t1ulElGl8JtNVDKzUgkRPYFHqBlgNFwOBqNgIwrf5mH/s1600/Favorite+Granola+Title+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTED_SrWPdZC2BIpJNEC4Hft__2fRwFAsiDOVlQdR33-RGnGOrn2cSuZBor5DsfHKni_WfK9ih4Hzd3S2xWkcPGq0m9NCP6XW9t1ulElGl8JtNVDKzUgkRPYFHqBlgNFwOBqNgIwrf5mH/s640/Favorite+Granola+Title+Card.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I first started making this granola two weeks ago when Dude and I started our Gluten Free Month. I created a kind of frankengranola by adding elements from other granola recipes I've seen floating around; but my main inspiration came from <a href="http://www.wittyinthecity.com/2012/08/lizzy-loves-coconut-granola/" target="_blank">this one</a>. Since then I've made it at least 4 times. We go through it so quick!! Dude likes to eat it with almond milk, I like it on my homemade organic yogurt or with an apple dipped in almond butter. <br />
<br />
The best thing about this granola, and I'll probably say it three or four more times before this post is done, is that you can customize it to what you like. The problem I've always had with granola is that more often than not, there is something I don't really like in it. Something like slivered almonds or banana chips or purple raisins or the spices are too heavy or too light, there's always <i>something</i>. <br />
<br />
But with this granola, I'll give you the ingredients I use, but if you don't like nuts or don't want flaxseed, don't add it! If you would rather use dried raspberries and nothing else, go for it! If you want big clumps of granola, add more maple syrup or honey. If you hate pumpkin pie spice, but love something else, add it! Do what you like, and preferably what only you like that way no one else will eat it!<br />
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Seriously, make this granola tonight, you won't regret it.<br />
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You'll need:<br />
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<ul>
<li>1-ish tbs honey</li>
<li>1-ish tbs real maple syrup (sampler not required, but it was all I had)</li>
<li>2 tbs coconut oil</li>
<li>2 cups quick or old fashioned oats</li>
</ul>
Everything else on this list is completely optional, if you don't like something, leave it out or switch it out with something you do like. But from here on out we're going with what I used. <br />
<ul>
<li>1 tbs pumpkin pie spice</li>
<li>2 tbs chia seed </li>
<li>1 tbs flaxseed </li>
<li>3/4 cup total of your favorite dried fruit (I used golden raisins, dried blueberries and dried cranberries, 1/4 c of each)</li>
<li>1/4 cup chopped chocolate (I used chocolate chips because that was all I had)</li>
<li>1/4 cup chopped nuts </li>
<li>1/2 cup coconut flakes (sweetened or unsweetened, whatever you like)</li>
</ul>
First things first, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.<br />
<br />
Then, put the coconut oil in a small saucepan. Add in the honey and maple syrup. I usually add a little less than 1 1/2tbs because I like some clumps. Here's what my "little less than a half" looks like. Notice its a tablespoon - <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9_OzpFKraxVJdMqduelwzbGb09K9ejjrEIEgYrC4qF30b8KMzWJEIVHOPVNePF3TioCrRZ9qE5t2gsR5cWKghFU0UyNWP_nnDwcxxrNbcNZJbdzSXZU2OOzJgDk-znkoCHwgbSYjNQrn/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9_OzpFKraxVJdMqduelwzbGb09K9ejjrEIEgYrC4qF30b8KMzWJEIVHOPVNePF3TioCrRZ9qE5t2gsR5cWKghFU0UyNWP_nnDwcxxrNbcNZJbdzSXZU2OOzJgDk-znkoCHwgbSYjNQrn/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've added more and I've added less honey and maple syrup and it still tastes just fine. This recipe is very forgiving!<br />
<br />
Whisk everything together over low heat. While your liquids are heating up, pour your oats into a small bowl.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why did I take a picture of this? Oats in a bowl.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When your liquids look like this,<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3mUicYXIQC8/UIlOgIpxkyI/AAAAAAAABAc/4_Uf_8fwkAg/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3mUicYXIQC8/UIlOgIpxkyI/AAAAAAAABAc/4_Uf_8fwkAg/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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take them off the heat and pour them over your oats and mix to coat them with the sugary mixture. <br />
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Pour the oats in a single layer onto a parchment lined pan (not essential, but it helps down the road) and bake them for 7 minutes. This is what they'll look like after 7 minutes. You can see some pieces are kind of brown, others are still white-ish. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyQnPL0J-nYP0eW5NVuRfFJRXQeab7JpLYxAoeCOxbcERMFJNF1MI628A2d2R3Jw-bG89toG5G2JLytfDYxGTepcxpryRQih7rU0ZV1W0vU6VLPFMYKd6cirKZbszYPzVomOLxrgopG6n/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyQnPL0J-nYP0eW5NVuRfFJRXQeab7JpLYxAoeCOxbcERMFJNF1MI628A2d2R3Jw-bG89toG5G2JLytfDYxGTepcxpryRQih7rU0ZV1W0vU6VLPFMYKd6cirKZbszYPzVomOLxrgopG6n/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+066.JPG" width="570" /></a></div>
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Give the oats a good stir put them back in the oven for 5 minutes, or until they are all slightly browned.<br />
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Sprinkle your coconut, chia seeds, flaxseed and pumpkin pie spice over your browned oats, stir, and bake for 5 more minutes. This is just to toast the coconut, so if you like your coconut flakes raw, no need to bake again. Keep an eye on your oats to make sure they don't burn!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQU9Go4sGsDWFXCqnc1EtxxeSoRN9bkhCkgD-5noPK3TLHctvaRIn5wtLFSWyN60Cd1K6IUp4Gi4MpIfmBadKkDWMyBPAQpm-ylj4q-kYZHjfvh6zRMffoEydc_puWiQwBXdG4xblxr0Nv/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQU9Go4sGsDWFXCqnc1EtxxeSoRN9bkhCkgD-5noPK3TLHctvaRIn5wtLFSWyN60Cd1K6IUp4Gi4MpIfmBadKkDWMyBPAQpm-ylj4q-kYZHjfvh6zRMffoEydc_puWiQwBXdG4xblxr0Nv/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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While your oats are baking this last time, start chopping up your dried fruit, nuts and chocolate.<br />
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Take the granola out of the oven once the coconut is toasted to your liking. Mine looked like this -<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uCDdFaVVZ4/UIlOj-z1F8I/AAAAAAAABA4/FRpHwRs2xaA/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uCDdFaVVZ4/UIlOj-z1F8I/AAAAAAAABA4/FRpHwRs2xaA/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+071.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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Allow the granola to cool completely. At this point, to speed to the cooling process, I normally make a giant cup out of the parchment paper and remove it from the baking sheet. Bonus - minimal clean up!<br />
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When your granola has cooled, add the fruit, nuts and chocolate and mix well. Here is where having the parchment cup helps. Dump everything in and just shake! No need to dirty another spoon!<br />
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Try some now and make sure you're happy with the spices. If not, add more. If you wish it didn't have spice at all, send me your leftovers!<br />
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Enjoy over milk, <a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2013/01/homemade-crock-pot-greek-yogurt.html" target="_blank">homemade Greek yogurt</a>, or by itself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-jLikLcqb95q2a_C76-CXuiepnL-VOYL_Cc_zDaG6qHDYY6Cx2z_qjXf3Tz9Fx6JeqcZhK2RpXVQmi7JRCivRJxSA1C4Z2vIjaXKDItcEUlxebq-doVdZrMa9k7f9pYEzYLAvhrpxSpO/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-jLikLcqb95q2a_C76-CXuiepnL-VOYL_Cc_zDaG6qHDYY6Cx2z_qjXf3Tz9Fx6JeqcZhK2RpXVQmi7JRCivRJxSA1C4Z2vIjaXKDItcEUlxebq-doVdZrMa9k7f9pYEzYLAvhrpxSpO/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+077.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh hai me in the spoon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-11095077519460824602012-10-29T08:00:00.000-04:002012-11-16T13:13:26.334-05:00How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Three: Finishing Touches + Before & Afters!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_g-aVA6K57o/UImbk7eu-VI/AAAAAAAAA84/ucHZ3YAQzTc/s1600/Title+Card+Part+Three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Three: Finishing Touches" border="0" height="417" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_g-aVA6K57o/UImbk7eu-VI/AAAAAAAAA84/ucHZ3YAQzTc/s640/Title+Card+Part+Three.jpg" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Three: Finishing Touches" width="640" /></a></div>
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You guys!! You made it! You followed <a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part-one.html" target="_blank">Part One</a>, <a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part-two.html" target="_blank">Part Two</a>, and now we're on to the finishing touches and the fun part - the Before & Afters!<br />
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Ok, all that being said, these "easy finishing touches" were a complete bear for me.<br />
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I bought new gorgeous handles for all the doors and the screws that came with them were just a hair too long, so the handles rattled around. So after three (yes, I'm totally serious) trips to the hardware store, I ended up just buying some washers to put under the screws. It doesn't look perfect, but other than cutting down each screw (24 in all) individually, that was our only option. <br />
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Then, it turns out the old hinges we had on the doors were about 1/8th of an inch smaller than standard cabinet door hinges sold in home improvement stores. So I had to go back, fill in all the hinge holes, sand, prime and paint them and then we had to drill new holes!<br />
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Did you know you can't drill cabinet door hinge holes with a regular drill bit? Oh no, you need a special fancy-shmancy <a href="http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10610&site=ROCKLER" target="_blank">self-centering drill bit</a>. Did you know these fancy-shmancy drill bits are not sold in regular home improvement stores? No, you have to go to a fancy-shmancy wood working store or order them online! *headdesk*<br />
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Needless to say, this easy part, that pretty much every single tutorial I read breezed right over, was a giant pain in the ass! Like I said in the beginning of this tutorial, I thought this would be a two-weekend - MAX - project. It turned into a month-long disaster!<br />
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Alright so, back to the tutorial. You've primed, you've painted, you've sanded, you've done all of this until you feel like maybe buying all new cabinets wouldn't be that bad... But you did it, your kitchen looks awesome, you just need to put everything back together!<br />
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Hopefully, if your kitchen was built in the last 10 years, you will not have the problems I did. Your hardware will be normal and not just a tiny bit bigger or smaller than you need and you will be able to do all this in an hour.<br />
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Alright, so, hardware time. Grab your new handles, pulls, knobs, whatever you decided on. If you're using your old hardware - great job and good thinking!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNi90D8OhF7YyZaCdpQkNWItI-2hHHUpIXuu5sNsy4zgGAIMnqxshq_i7IlmO4F-c8w5JCL8AXKVa_xLaG5lefDNCFsxXVZiZsieJjBWB-mK2w4i-MX6lyplhMuTMDgWyVrxA8oeORAfXp/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Three: cabinet hardware" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNi90D8OhF7YyZaCdpQkNWItI-2hHHUpIXuu5sNsy4zgGAIMnqxshq_i7IlmO4F-c8w5JCL8AXKVa_xLaG5lefDNCFsxXVZiZsieJjBWB-mK2w4i-MX6lyplhMuTMDgWyVrxA8oeORAfXp/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+003.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Three: Finishing Touches" width="531" /></a></div>
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If you are like me and the screws are an inch long and you really need them to be 0.9 inches long, buy some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XMZKAG/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&psc=1&s=industrial" target="_blank">locking washers</a> and put those right underneath the screw head and screw on your handles.<br />
Do not drive to the hardware store, buy 3/4" screws, go home, test them out, realize they are too short, drive back to the hardware store, spend 30 minutes trying to find someone to help you out (seriously, why is no one ever around when you need them!?), then decide on the locking washers, drive home, realize they are too darn small, then drive back, buy the 3/8" washers and tell your new cashier friend that you swear this is the last time you'll see him today.<br />
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Now, when it comes to drawers, remember how I said at the beginning that it was important to note which end of the doors were up? Now is when that will come in to play. My drawers were set up so that you could take the screws out and face came off. Easy to paint, but if you put it on upside down, this is what your drawer ends up looking like.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWI2sjsBghw/UIlOPSCICCI/AAAAAAAAA7A/JV3CZYjb4Zo/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Wonky drawer" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWI2sjsBghw/UIlOPSCICCI/AAAAAAAAA7A/JV3CZYjb4Zo/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+037.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Wonky drawer" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little wonky...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Alright, so your drawers are in; and now you're ready to start on the doors. As soon as you finish putting the new handle on one door, grab your new hinge and test it out. Please, please please do this. Or, better yet, do a trial run with all your new hardware the moment you buy it, don't wait until the end. Or else your kitchen will look like this for two weeks -<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JOAlXvv2v-cgfCpKVBoCdxUS1qrPjzZWnM2XfKufScg-3qvPwHLvfkLIvnze7ACUiK-wwhA9uAfL04SX3Y5RMBmyl0062-jWBhS-9PGYr39fRjuRWme4Sy2NAPxcVjafd7kApvb-TKPF/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - drawers in, doors are naked" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JOAlXvv2v-cgfCpKVBoCdxUS1qrPjzZWnM2XfKufScg-3qvPwHLvfkLIvnze7ACUiK-wwhA9uAfL04SX3Y5RMBmyl0062-jWBhS-9PGYr39fRjuRWme4Sy2NAPxcVjafd7kApvb-TKPF/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+033.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Doorless" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll admit, this does make putting dishes away much easier!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If your kitchen looks like this for two weeks, you may Google "How to buy dynamite" and contemplate blowing your kitchen to smithereens. And I'm pretty sure Googling anything with the word dynamite in it puts you on some CIA watch list. <br />
<br />
Ok, we're going to skip the parts where I had to fill the hinge holes, sand, prime and paint them. And skip the part where Dude realizes we need a special drill bit to drill new holes for hinges. And let's also skip the part where when we were finally ready to put the hinges on, I realize I only bought 12 hinges and I need 24!! Needless to say, I'm on a first-name basis with all the cashiers at Lowes now. Two of the hardware guys are also very familiar with my kitchen and my painting project.<br />
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Aaaand we're back. Put your dang hinges on and hang your doors and step back to admire your handywork. You are AWESOME! You did it! Look at how much brighter and open your kitchen looks!! <br />
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One last thing - those little felt pads that came with the hinges? Put them on the corners of your doors and your drawers. This will keep everything from sticking to the frame and possibly scratching the paint.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VbPTKTFGmCc/UIlOT4ZZzaI/AAAAAAAAA70/ZPGOHUZ1v5c/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Felt Pads" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VbPTKTFGmCc/UIlOT4ZZzaI/AAAAAAAAA70/ZPGOHUZ1v5c/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+097.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Felt Pads" width="640" /></a></div>
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You won't have enough to do all your doors and drawers, but it's not a huge deal, you can find these pads pretty much everywhere. I know I've seen them at <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_55659-255-4215395N_?productId=3034873&site=shopLocal&utm_campaign=bazaarvoice&utm_medium=SearchVoice&utm_source=RatingsAndReviews&utm_content=Default" target="_blank">Lowes</a>, <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZc2f9/h_d2/Navigation?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051" target="_blank">Home Depot</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Dampening-Bumpers-Diameter-Sheet/dp/B0075E9T2Y" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14344500" target="_blank">Bed, Bath and Beyond</a>.<br />
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And once you've done that, unless you're me and decided at the last minute to put a sponge drawer underneath your sink, you're done! Enjoy the praise and compliments your significant other will most likely heap on you. Or that might have been in my head. Dude may have really said something to the effect of "Well, I don't hate it as much as I thought I would." <br />
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Now get ready for some pretty amazing Before & Afters! (Please ignore the giant gaping hole underneath the sink. Remember what I said before about the sponge drawer thing?)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jOkKPPQdVxw/UIlOXXscLNI/AAAAAAAAA0s/QFe5aNdDEoo/s1600/Cabinets+Before+and+After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jOkKPPQdVxw/UIlOXXscLNI/AAAAAAAAA0s/QFe5aNdDEoo/s640/Cabinets+Before+and+After.jpg" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" width="420" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpL77eb1G8BtbKetTOZFkcyB4xB5OOteman9X9-yapfAlQ_T09soBmRwFc0LX3CxpyHVTSlVq68Zed5Wmwst0RXXBDqtPoCwTmtGbqlCMkI5cOnSIRLlrvdzmbZpR5iuCpUg3IP9brGth/s1600/Before+%2526+After+Above+Stove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpL77eb1G8BtbKetTOZFkcyB4xB5OOteman9X9-yapfAlQ_T09soBmRwFc0LX3CxpyHVTSlVq68Zed5Wmwst0RXXBDqtPoCwTmtGbqlCMkI5cOnSIRLlrvdzmbZpR5iuCpUg3IP9brGth/s640/Before+%2526+After+Above+Stove.jpg" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokY6FXpZ10eZ34VAu05eJStKJPE_fPoZAhiTK4JlYmlwobeRGHhAawQvonP5Opwf9S75upTHveRBsV8crUvjzymcjsT1tMGVBAbbi3URGlGIhVtRQxbxRL_KFv82E9whf9SnVRFzdS7yb/s1600/Before+%2526+After+From+Stove+to+Window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokY6FXpZ10eZ34VAu05eJStKJPE_fPoZAhiTK4JlYmlwobeRGHhAawQvonP5Opwf9S75upTHveRBsV8crUvjzymcjsT1tMGVBAbbi3URGlGIhVtRQxbxRL_KFv82E9whf9SnVRFzdS7yb/s640/Before+%2526+After+From+Stove+to+Window.jpg" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r94a9M0P8PQ/UImbkGu4HGI/AAAAAAAAA8s/2xDxPBjEp6U/s1600/Before+%2526+After+Stove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r94a9M0P8PQ/UImbkGu4HGI/AAAAAAAAA8s/2xDxPBjEp6U/s640/Before+%2526+After+Stove.jpg" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YS5tBWozWg/UImbnbHQgaI/AAAAAAAAA90/uNxhY_qkToc/s1600/Before+%2526+After+Whole+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" border="0" height="236" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YS5tBWozWg/UImbnbHQgaI/AAAAAAAAA90/uNxhY_qkToc/s640/Before+%2526+After+Whole+Kitchen.jpg" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" width="640" /></a></div>
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And lest you think that I am immaculate and perfect in every way and my counters are always clean and clear like that, here's a picture of the other side of my kitchen.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15tymuOktHo/UIlOUwdZWzI/AAAAAAAAA78/DV2BoF_heTc/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - messy fridge, shelves" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15tymuOktHo/UIlOUwdZWzI/AAAAAAAAA78/DV2BoF_heTc/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+100.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - The other side of the kitchen" width="467" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonus points for spotting the level in this picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's a rundown of all the hardware and accessories you see in the After pictures:<br />
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Hinges: <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_314979-53458-SC1938-BSN-SS_0__?productId=3199355&Ntt=cabinet+hinges&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dcabinet%2Bhinges&facetInfo=" target="_blank">Lowes </a><br />
Door handles: <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_117781-77652-Z512B-3-BNI_4294735712__?productId=1213375&Ntt=cabinet+handles&Ns=p_product_price|0" target="_blank">Lowes</a><br />
Drawer pulls: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AXLTN0/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
Rug: <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18491175&parentid=A_FURN_RUGS" target="_blank">Urban Outfitters</a> (cut down, the other half is in front of our side door)<br />
Paint: Olympic Premium in their basic white<br />
Primer: Valspar Bonding Primer in their basic white <br />
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If you decide to attempt this, let me know how it goes! I'd love to see your before and afters! <br />
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And in case you missed it, here's the whole series:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part-one.html" target="_blank">Part One</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part-two.html" target="_blank">Part Two</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part.html" target="_blank">Part Three</a></div>
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Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-20946137138705950082012-10-27T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-27T08:00:05.343-04:00How To Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two: Sanding, Priming and Painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCSmc0Wq84B65eTTsPh2JZ011KwQw36_gmeEe9tKFyqbao5LIPfdjKdmMAk9ECmwes7y-paXImznAQVjuN8fofG05jb5ObdBHX56AQkwzM7Rap4DJKzuloOFUU4yVhMubflJ2TZuKTj89/s1600/Title+Card+Part+Two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two" border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCSmc0Wq84B65eTTsPh2JZ011KwQw36_gmeEe9tKFyqbao5LIPfdjKdmMAk9ECmwes7y-paXImznAQVjuN8fofG05jb5ObdBHX56AQkwzM7Rap4DJKzuloOFUU4yVhMubflJ2TZuKTj89/s640/Title+Card+Part+Two.jpg" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks for coming back to check out Part Two of this tutorial! If you're just tuning in, go back and check out <a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/painting-laminate-cabinets-part-1-prep.html" target="_blank">Part One</a> to get up to speed! Today, I'll take you through the steps of prepping your laminate cabinets for primer and then actually priming them.<br />
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Just a quick reminder of why you started this whole project in the first place. Look at the huge difference it'll make! You can do this!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r94a9M0P8PQ/UImbkGu4HGI/AAAAAAAAA8s/2xDxPBjEp6U/s1600/Before+%2526+After+Stove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r94a9M0P8PQ/UImbkGu4HGI/AAAAAAAAA8s/2xDxPBjEp6U/s640/Before+%2526+After+Stove.jpg" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the sanding, you will need:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S8iJW7BUEq4/UImbmK2zrkI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/cW0ICRmJSVg/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+021+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Supplies: vacuum, sander, lacquer thinner, sand paper" border="0" height="521" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S8iJW7BUEq4/UImbmK2zrkI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/cW0ICRmJSVg/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+021+-+Copy.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Supplies" width="640" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Sand paper or an orbital sander (<i><b>HIGHLY</b></i> recommend an orbital if your doors are completely flat like mine)</li>
<li>Sanding discs for your sander (80, 100, and 120 grit)</li>
<li>A shop vac to collect the dust from your sanding or some kind of mask</li>
<li>Tack cloth</li>
<li>Lacquer thinner (optional)</li>
</ul>
All of the tutorials I read on painting laminate suggested using a fine grain sandpaper. I did; and to be honest, it sucked. It felt like the sand paper was doing nothing! About halfway through the doors, we switched to an 80 grit paper I happened to have on hand and that did the trick. It felt like we were really digging into the laminate and cutting it up enough that the primer would actually stick.<br />
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Looking back, the fine grain sandpaper was fine because we used a bonding primer; but the 80 grit didn't hinder us in any way. I couldn't tell the difference either way once the primer was on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GEmhcBfkU7pO-DVx7IXCo3FE_jkpMmGDe-dkMqAa3yKZqV2EScoB9G-zNogfJZat3vLi3pcExhXCRX88DSmhX_8HqWXXsJx-F6ERhT5azetbgBTx-J702_VWafGz8YJtghFv6GJZHWd1/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Sand+Doors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dad sanding laminate cabinet doors for primer" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GEmhcBfkU7pO-DVx7IXCo3FE_jkpMmGDe-dkMqAa3yKZqV2EScoB9G-zNogfJZat3vLi3pcExhXCRX88DSmhX_8HqWXXsJx-F6ERhT5azetbgBTx-J702_VWafGz8YJtghFv6GJZHWd1/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Sand+Doors.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Sanding" width="616" /></a></div>
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Anyhow, all you have to do here is sand like crazy. Get every surface you are going to paint and make sure not to sand over your door labeling! Don't forget to sand the cabinet frames and the undersides of the frames if you're painting them. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMdnWdvO-pbJ8D2n9qr_yPCHokZzN6LJMVsjmgIePFG5wWmjZH-zVJXaeLWq7xDQgn7rxNjHxJymt4OywyxeIgENwJgL9uuypZzq0Ap1Er7xtRzmRR0GMNLJlTMN5Yql1heE2nVYItep1/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Sand+Doors+2+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMdnWdvO-pbJ8D2n9qr_yPCHokZzN6LJMVsjmgIePFG5wWmjZH-zVJXaeLWq7xDQgn7rxNjHxJymt4OywyxeIgENwJgL9uuypZzq0Ap1Er7xtRzmRR0GMNLJlTMN5Yql1heE2nVYItep1/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Sand+Doors+2+.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Notice how the orbital sander is hooked up to a shop vac. I cannot recommend this enough. I don't know a lot about toxic chemicals, but I can only imagine inhaling little bits of plastic and grease and other garbage is not good for you. Hooking the sander up to the vacuum eliminated that issue completely. If you are sanding by hand or don't have a shop vac, please use a mask or <a href="http://members.shaw.ca/tcennon/pictures/ninja%20mask%20lessons.jpg" target="_blank">make one out of an old t-shirt like this guy</a>.<br />
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Here is where having helpers comes in handy. While my Dad was sanding, my Mom and I started wiping down the already sanded doors.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GVQy2TS44s/UG8wuyowvVI/AAAAAAAAAqM/XBLiE36DtV0/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-Tack+Cloth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sanded laminate cabinets being wiped down with tack cloth" border="0" height="497" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GVQy2TS44s/UG8wuyowvVI/AAAAAAAAAqM/XBLiE36DtV0/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-Tack+Cloth.JPG" title="Painting Laminate Cabinets - Wipe down sanded doors" width="640" /></a></div>
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We used a combination of a tack cloth and lacquer thinner. I bought brand new tack cloths for this project and they left a weird kind of waxy film on the cabinets (Can you see it in the picture above?). I didn't think it would be an issue, but to be safe we used the lacquer thinner as well.<br />
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If you use the thinner, do it outside, in a well-ventilated area. This stuff STINKS! Not safe for kids or pets, for sure.<br />
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Alright, so cabinets are sanded and wiped down, that means it's time to prime and then paint!<br />
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For the priming and painting, you will need:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFyLNyHMa3U/UIlOK0NQ4iI/AAAAAAAAA6k/CsffWrSQWZQ/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - Supplies: bonding primer, paint, rollers, tray" border="0" height="443" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFyLNyHMa3U/UIlOK0NQ4iI/AAAAAAAAA6k/CsffWrSQWZQ/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+024.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - Supplies" width="640" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Painting tape, I used frog tape, but any kind will do </li>
<li>Bonding primer (this is <u>essential</u> for laminate cabinets)</li>
<li>Foam paint rollers in 6", 4" and 2" sizes</li>
<li>Paint brushes</li>
<li>Paint pain</li>
<li>Aluminum foil </li>
<li>Sandpaper (optional)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/K-M-Painters-Pyramids/dp/B001M09ZFI" target="_blank">Painters pyramids</a>/thumbtacks/etc (optional) </li>
</ul>
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First things first, tape off your cabinet frame - next to the walls, around appliances and around your hood vent if you have one like mine. I made the mistake of not doing this when I first started and I spent some time scraping paint off my stove and dishwasher.<br />
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Now, to save yourself the hassle later, cover your entire paint tray with aluminum foil. This way, when you're done, you won't have to clean out the stinking thing. I'm all about cleaning short cuts here, people.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqXxjrC_vzQ/UIlOMMGfwsI/AAAAAAAAA6o/MOqjU3ss3ws/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - paint tray covered with aluminum foil" border="0" height="468" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqXxjrC_vzQ/UIlOMMGfwsI/AAAAAAAAA6o/MOqjU3ss3ws/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+027.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mix up your primer, pour it into the pan and get painting! This stuff dries to the touch really quickly, so make sure to cover the paint can when you're done pouring it out.<br />
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I went through and primed one side of each door first; and my Mom stood by with a paint brush to clean up any dips along the sides of each door. Make sure you don't paint over your door labels! Once I finished one side, I (<i>carefully!)</i> picked up the door like a serving tray and painted each side, watching the top for drips or globby bits. Take it from me, the last thing you want on your fresh new cabinet doors is globby bits.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udQ3YU3xUBA/UG8wvkENqqI/AAAAAAAAAqY/2lG_-9GbiHw/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-Primer+Coat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="laminate cabinets being rolled with white bonding primer" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udQ3YU3xUBA/UG8wvkENqqI/AAAAAAAAAqY/2lG_-9GbiHw/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-Primer+Coat.JPG" title="Painting Laminate Cabinets - Putting on the first coat of primer" width="640" /></a></div>
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I doubt this is kosher and the primer people would probably cry if they read this, but once I did a single coat on one side of each door, I went back and did another coat. The primer was dry to the touch, but easily scratch-able, so instead of taking the chance and flipping them, I decided to go back and do another coat, in the hopes of saving a little time down the road.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy4XWasq9pk/UG8wwAvc1gI/AAAAAAAAAqk/PRqsUZEsp2Y/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-Finished+Primer+Coat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="laminate cabinet doors and drawers with one coat of white bonding primer" border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy4XWasq9pk/UG8wwAvc1gI/AAAAAAAAAqk/PRqsUZEsp2Y/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-Finished+Primer+Coat.JPG" title="Painting Laminate Cabinets - After First Coat of Primer" width="640" /></a></div>
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This ended up working out perfectly, but if you're using painters pyramids or thumbtacks to paint both sides at once you may want to just flip them and paint the other side.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_933I5XWLxA/UG8ww-9DzaI/AAAAAAAAAqw/ARkQRGlmwcY/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-End+of+Day+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - End of Day One" border="0" height="417" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_933I5XWLxA/UG8ww-9DzaI/AAAAAAAAAqw/ARkQRGlmwcY/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-End+of+Day+1.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - End of Day One" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's my kitchen at the end of day one, with one coat of primer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ffnf-ToX8c/UG8wxv86e5I/AAAAAAAAAq8/GP3YVH7aed4/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+End+of+Day+1+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - End of Day One" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ffnf-ToX8c/UG8wxv86e5I/AAAAAAAAAq8/GP3YVH7aed4/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+End+of+Day+1+%25283%2529.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - End of Day One" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up close view of the cabinet frame with one coat of primer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Helpful hint - instead of rinsing out your paint tray, brushes, and rollers, cover everything with plastic wrap or a plastic grocery bag. Everything will stay fresh for a couple of days and you won't wash everything out 100 times before the project is over!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mgIXxpQmXTg/UIlONDBniPI/AAAAAAAAA6w/d2kHd5dTnEk/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - End of Day One: covered roller" border="0" height="376" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mgIXxpQmXTg/UIlONDBniPI/AAAAAAAAA6w/d2kHd5dTnEk/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+030.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - End of Day One" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FTrua-DDaw/UIlONHYjaXI/AAAAAAAAA6s/PfAVVkhdVfE/s1600/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - End of Day One, covered paint tray and roller" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FTrua-DDaw/UIlONHYjaXI/AAAAAAAAA6s/PfAVVkhdVfE/s640/Camera+Dump+10.25.12+029.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - End of Day One" width="640" /></a></div>
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Per the instructions on the primer can, let the first coat of primer dry for 4 hours before flipping your doors over to paint the other side or to paint your next coat. This will vary depending on the heat and humidity while you're painting.<br />
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When you're ready, unwrap all your painting stuff and put a second coat on everything you can. I kept the same side of the doors facing up at this point and put a second coat on just one side. After I was done with the doors, I went inside and primed the frame and undersides of the cabinets.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4T677lzu_Hc/UG8w2S8wVhI/AAAAAAAAAsg/EdXvLIMis6c/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-End+of+Day+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - doors with second Coat of Primer" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4T677lzu_Hc/UG8w2S8wVhI/AAAAAAAAAsg/EdXvLIMis6c/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-End+of+Day+2.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - Second Coat of Primer" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wait 4 hours, flip your doors and do it all again, twice. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5hacOiSa98/UG8wvxm5GII/AAAAAAAAAqg/F-4wKjit0OA/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-Primer+Coat+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - primer on opposite side of doors" border="0" height="441" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5hacOiSa98/UG8wvxm5GII/AAAAAAAAAqg/F-4wKjit0OA/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-Primer+Coat+2.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part Two - Second Coat of Primer" width="640" /></a></div>
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Alright, at this point, you should have two coats of primer on everything - doors, frame, your clothes, your dog... And you know what that means, time to PAINT! FINALLY! <br />
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Rinse everything out, put new foil in your paint tray and new rollers on your brushes and get painting! Put one solid coat on everything you can. Let it dry for 4 hours before moving on to your second coat. If you get any globby bits, sand them off before repainting. If you have dogs, keep them away from where you're painting or you will be sanding dog hairs out of your cabinets as well. Not that I would know! :)<br />
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Like I said before, I did 3 coats of paint, but that will vary depending on how dark your original cabinets are. And to be fair, my third coat was really just touch ups. <br />
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Once you're done painting, all that's left is to reattach the doors and put your hardware back on or put on your new hardware! Check out <a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part.html" target="_blank">Part Three</a> for the final steps in this tutorial. <br />
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Or if you'd rather, here's the whole series:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part-one.html" target="_blank">Part One</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part-two.html" target="_blank">Part Two</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part.html" target="_blank">Part Three</a></div>
Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6936017491936588875.post-39404648265146284932012-10-26T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-26T15:59:19.231-04:00How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part One: Prep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRSPf_p75KU7iil1VNX72tIZAtEoKjx743XwzwgFa2ni70JJM28roEdFUNH5lj6hmbIpHijhcMyR5_nkAoVY_oQbZow7XDyAdA0DihcCBoNe8mmlI57PatO4k-V7c9keFQNABRs2mCVu2/s1600/Title+Card+Parts+One.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How To Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part One" border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRSPf_p75KU7iil1VNX72tIZAtEoKjx743XwzwgFa2ni70JJM28roEdFUNH5lj6hmbIpHijhcMyR5_nkAoVY_oQbZow7XDyAdA0DihcCBoNe8mmlI57PatO4k-V7c9keFQNABRs2mCVu2/s640/Title+Card+Parts+One.jpg" title="How To Paint Laminate Cabinets - Part One" width="640" /></a></div>
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Holy sweet Jesus, it's been almost a whole month since I teased you guys with pictures of my big project! Sorry it took so long! Anyhow <strike>last weekend</strike> a month ago while Dude was away, my parents came up and we started a project I've been waiting two years to do - painting the hideous laminate cabinets in my kitchen!! <br />
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As much as I would have liked to do a total gut of our kitchen and remove the broken tile, fix the water damage around our window and most importantly, get beautiful white wood cabinets, it's just not in the budget. But I figured for $150 and some effort, I could probably at least make it less repellant. And no matter how hard I failed at this project, it couldn't be worse than that terrible wood laminate, right?<br />
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Check it out - <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDA_Vrv5y-M/UG8wqPdSWxI/AAAAAAAAAos/p1HzY71XmCQ/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Before+7.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDA_Vrv5y-M/UG8wqPdSWxI/AAAAAAAAAos/p1HzY71XmCQ/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Before+7.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuhJ0BD3H_M/UG8wrO97GXI/AAAAAAAAApA/_ycBKyfovY0/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Before+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuhJ0BD3H_M/UG8wrO97GXI/AAAAAAAAApA/_ycBKyfovY0/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Before+9.JPG" width="462" /></a></div>
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Let me tell you now, this was a huge process and I did a crapton of research before I started. I knew it was going to be a big project, which is why I enlisted the help of my parents. Even with their help and working all day Saturday and all day Sunday together, I still needed some weekday evenings to finish painting. And then we ran into at least 5934280928 road blocks, so what I imagined to be a two week project - tops - ended up being a month-long project with one disaster after another.<br />
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I'll do a post later about what I learned and mistakes you should avoid if you decide to take this project on yourself.<br />
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But for now, I'm going to walk you through step-by-step the process of painting my laminate cabinets. One more before shot for reference -<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkj743R62zs/UG8wsBIlY-I/AAAAAAAAApY/x-ZXBDqmk0Y/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Before+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkj743R62zs/UG8wsBIlY-I/AAAAAAAAApY/x-ZXBDqmk0Y/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Before+12.JPG" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before" width="480" /></a></div>
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But wait, first I want to show you what you're working for. I want to show you a before and after picture of my kitchen (you'll see more in <a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part.html" target="_blank">Part Three</a>) that will show you the ginormous difference painting your cabinets will make. No matter what color you choose, you will love your kitchen a million times more when this is all said and done. I promise!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YS5tBWozWg/UImbnbHQgaI/AAAAAAAAA90/uNxhY_qkToc/s1600/Before+%2526+After+Whole+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" border="0" height="236" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YS5tBWozWg/UImbnbHQgaI/AAAAAAAAA90/uNxhY_qkToc/s640/Before+%2526+After+Whole+Kitchen.jpg" title="How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - Before & After" width="640" /></a></div>
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I can tell, now you're ready to get started!! So let's go!<br />
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These are the supplies you'll need for Part 1<br />
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<ul>
<li>Heavy-duty cleaning solution (I used TSP, but any kitchen de-greaser should be fine)</li>
<li>Plastic gloves (not pictured, sorry!) </li>
<li>Rags and/or paper towels</li>
<li>Screwdriver or screw gun</li>
</ul>
First, remove the doors and hinges from the cabinet frame. To make your life easier, remove any handles or knobs from the doors themselves at this point too. Even if you've got new hardware, keep everything together until your kitchen is put back together. <br />
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While you are removing the doors, make yourself a little diagram or label the cabinets and doors so that you can easily put things back together. Make sure to note which side of the door is up!<br />
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I was able to label each door in the spot where the hinge would eventually go. For the drawers, we were able to separate the facing from the actual drawer and just put our number on the back side where it wouldn't show when it got reattached.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-isROzpKPdpU/UG8wt7USWnI/AAAAAAAAAp4/jFDhPgz7Msc/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Label+Doors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Painting Laminate Cabinets - Numbering on Hinges" border="0" height="592" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-isROzpKPdpU/UG8wt7USWnI/AAAAAAAAAp4/jFDhPgz7Msc/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Label+Doors.JPG" title="Painting Laminate Cabinets - Numbering on Hinges" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you're using new hardware and it doesn't match the holes that are
already in your cabinets, you'll have to figure out a different way.
Leave me a note in the comments if you have a different way and I'll
post it up here!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2c2mTT7J0s/UG8wsu54L9I/AAAAAAAAApg/Q6_XHazw8h4/s1600/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Remove+Doors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Laminate cabinets with doors removed, stuff still inside" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2c2mTT7J0s/UG8wsu54L9I/AAAAAAAAApg/Q6_XHazw8h4/s640/Painting+Laminate+Cabinets+-+Remove+Doors.JPG" title="Painting Laminate Cabinets - Remove Doors" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once the doors and hardware are removed, clean and scrub your heart out. Every single surface you're painting needs to be clean to help the paint and primer adhere. If you're worried about the stuff inside the cabinets, remove it or cover it. I ended up only removing stuff from the drawers and covering the rest with garbage bags. I'm pretty sure they sell plastic sheeting for this type of thing, but I was lazy and cheap and the Wal-Mart trash bags ended up working out just fine. <br />
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Since these are kitchen cabinets, prepare yourself to scrape off some nasty junk from the edges of anything near your stove. I wish I would have taken a picture to show you the quarter-inch of filth I scraped from the bottom edge of one cabinet door that was right above the stove. <br />
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When you've cleaned the front, back, and sides of the doors as well as the frame - don't forget the undersides! - it's time to sand. Follow me to <a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part-two.html" target="_blank">Part Two</a>!<br />
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Or if you'd rather do it this way, here's the whole series:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part-one.html" target="_blank">Part One</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part-two.html" target="_blank">Part Two</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cutejunkivemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets-part.html" target="_blank">Part Three</a></div>
Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Madehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419562212402727555noreply@blogger.com0