tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71950317012349127082024-02-19T06:58:34.880+01:00frequent frenzywhat I love, what I create, what I likeGIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-48465479060154940962012-10-28T22:25:00.000+01:002012-10-28T22:25:18.017+01:00makeover for Flyt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have tons of Ikea FLYT cardboard containers, but I don't like the white raw look they have, not really. I knew someone before thought about decoupage and other similar things, so this idea is not entirely mine... I'm just personalizing with my fabric of choice.</div>
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Wanna make one with me?</div>
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Then you'll need fabric, glue, trim, a piece of cardboard, scissors, medium brush and a pen. Oh, and of course a FLYT...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfbXAejf-IqLc0uIPQ_BddLEkpx4hoXRnp3YyacIc-ytpyl7Si5dOfvZQUYHByH4NbcMycFwc9w9NfH1u7bCaCoeJ5UNOXjx-P2JlK3Xs2XmJJyQRdX9SFLPLMfALuihLFI9kh5Q3cZE/s1600/CIMG1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfbXAejf-IqLc0uIPQ_BddLEkpx4hoXRnp3YyacIc-ytpyl7Si5dOfvZQUYHByH4NbcMycFwc9w9NfH1u7bCaCoeJ5UNOXjx-P2JlK3Xs2XmJJyQRdX9SFLPLMfALuihLFI9kh5Q3cZE/s320/CIMG1298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You must build your FLYT as always, following instructions. Then you place it on the fabric: tumble it in every direction, to check if you have enough fabric to cover the thing. Also add 1cm for the borders.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozw9zWerInUMVLMSnoGqkTCSGamB2vbHnSeTobfCseZnkKt-Jx2CrHWWhl5UXg4c7U-RkOMLwNXaNDPSEePAQuYV73Ls6JsWfb5YLyV4L-Tk8ZMIq3sqoA43dvZYVPGxEQtphX60S4cs/s1600/CIMG1302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozw9zWerInUMVLMSnoGqkTCSGamB2vbHnSeTobfCseZnkKt-Jx2CrHWWhl5UXg4c7U-RkOMLwNXaNDPSEePAQuYV73Ls6JsWfb5YLyV4L-Tk8ZMIq3sqoA43dvZYVPGxEQtphX60S4cs/s320/CIMG1302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cut the fabric to cover exactly the sides of your FLYT.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjut8r-tU51elS40xK-5JuQndnmnUA-VWvl0gPFrWLINmIMO2lP-jFChpT8Ikch_zR6JXbbRSWYFPR-hdtJqc3IErTQzY6lV0vPef08CS4sFNzw6r6aeSAvZprm7r3_tYdpjOOL6Mo8TWg/s1600/CIMG1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjut8r-tU51elS40xK-5JuQndnmnUA-VWvl0gPFrWLINmIMO2lP-jFChpT8Ikch_zR6JXbbRSWYFPR-hdtJqc3IErTQzY6lV0vPef08CS4sFNzw6r6aeSAvZprm7r3_tYdpjOOL6Mo8TWg/s320/CIMG1303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Brush glue on the entire side, just don't glue the borders or the cardboard will bend very un-nicely.<br />
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Attach the fabric to the glued side and press with your hands to smooth.<br />
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Cut the fabric on top following the shape of your FLYT. You'll end up with a nice scrap for future projects.<br />
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Put glue on the fabric (it will be more precise than if you glued the cardboard), and brush it all the way to the border. Be generous, but do not exaggerate.<br />
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Flip down to the cardboard the just glued fabric and press with your fingers. You don't need to cut the fabric to follow the curves, it's an oblique cut and it's like working with bias tape.<br />
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Make also the other side, in the same manner. Then switch to the smaller back/front (I don't know which is which). Cut the fabric a bit larger on the sides, for the overlapping junctions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_8-nwlbjYTM9iQMYDMHhDABwROLxf63gNuEMb0j1k8UWWoXDaciP_8O5WcWPO0CWwuuLgyHhapnh61nh2c2VXpY4ZT-gUgOmwtoZrh2it0mM4J9_47wls63CeKFvMVzz3Myh4AEPGw4/s1600/CIMG1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_8-nwlbjYTM9iQMYDMHhDABwROLxf63gNuEMb0j1k8UWWoXDaciP_8O5WcWPO0CWwuuLgyHhapnh61nh2c2VXpY4ZT-gUgOmwtoZrh2it0mM4J9_47wls63CeKFvMVzz3Myh4AEPGw4/s320/CIMG1310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cut the excess of fabric (always leaving some length for the border) and work exactly as you did for the sides: you just have to also put glue on the fabric that will overlap on the sides.<br />
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Do the same thing also on the other side. Now your FLYT is all dressed up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuOdMn6OpugrJL-Xif1Y08zYEnyY3H_D1ZE5LYp-GrMGx2jDjrnEgtZDh22MGTmBWBTS9cFGbVU626j5Xo98KdaSeYq7WSubiIjn1hSPUTq343cWA-XQcymEwCHBzc3v7qegbMmns5tQ/s1600/CIMG1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuOdMn6OpugrJL-Xif1Y08zYEnyY3H_D1ZE5LYp-GrMGx2jDjrnEgtZDh22MGTmBWBTS9cFGbVU626j5Xo98KdaSeYq7WSubiIjn1hSPUTq343cWA-XQcymEwCHBzc3v7qegbMmns5tQ/s320/CIMG1313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(sorry, I don't know *why* this image just doesn't flip right...)</td></tr>
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While the glue is drying, you can work on the label. I went with an oval form (which I drew using a plastic piece of orange (Smurfettes' courtesy). Cut your cardboard label and write whatever you want to put in the FLYT.<br />
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Attach your label on the front (small, big, your choice). Wrap some trim around your FLYT, make a little neat bow and you're finished!</div>
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Fill it with whatever you want (I use them for my recipes).</div>
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And this fabric covering is quite addictive... you can work this magic on every cardboard surface.<br />
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<br />GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-49373089628365067582012-10-01T20:24:00.004+02:002012-10-01T20:24:47.365+02:00kids' rack for towels - school edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
School has started. I can't believe Smurfette#1 is in her 2nd year... where does the time go?!</div>
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This year the teachers want the kids to use fabric towels instead of paper ones, so I duly sent my girl to school with one of her old labelled towels she used in preschool (never throw away those!).</div>
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Some days after, the teacher asked for some hooks, 'cause the towels (hanging under the jackets) seemed to never be reached by little hands... (on the other hand, the jackets...)</div>
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One of the teachers pointedly watched me saying "we could use a rack, if some of you parents are feeling crafty..." Duly noted. So... wait while processing... and that's the result:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n-gLWh-O68UbnYDYkiPgatyuTg6ulJnz5bL4s5OdDm-SPL6LNpqEf2IOJLwYLfLnZSAK1iLrB-fSHqi2MVeFtkqOArDegUQTze-gRT99zQAmpTlaWI7MgPcvL7GKbAZAQ6548eiL_ds/s1600/CIMG1286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n-gLWh-O68UbnYDYkiPgatyuTg6ulJnz5bL4s5OdDm-SPL6LNpqEf2IOJLwYLfLnZSAK1iLrB-fSHqi2MVeFtkqOArDegUQTze-gRT99zQAmpTlaWI7MgPcvL7GKbAZAQ6548eiL_ds/s320/CIMG1286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">horrible shot of the rack</td></tr>
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Bought a wood piece (plain), drilled little holes for little metal hooks, used a brush with green paint, white paint, passed sand paper, added little plastic insects for decoration and stamped little numbers over every hook.<br />
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A busy hour, but very satisfying. Teachers' feedback was also positive, so everybody is happy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSamfqtI9eQPVo5lwiD7kPxQ-keO9915wNX6bUq4h_gyH6s8mVotX1mAHltZd0DrdGne9P1KNtw2kij6uVxB6pAnaDLehTak4UjQzPGGNrXg0_tpA6I7bZRtuqurKrNUxw54r1SxmR-ZI/s1600/CIMG1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSamfqtI9eQPVo5lwiD7kPxQ-keO9915wNX6bUq4h_gyH6s8mVotX1mAHltZd0DrdGne9P1KNtw2kij6uVxB6pAnaDLehTak4UjQzPGGNrXg0_tpA6I7bZRtuqurKrNUxw54r1SxmR-ZI/s320/CIMG1290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">perspective view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPDwGjxC6KXf6_EyKuwB_fcAFHDZ4riFA-thkts7Zd6y2d3vXsAdPS4X-taVDqn_STqalj6BKhHCsrp7C311L-NWs1WVoFWE8xrfeTKwnBCFSEq-x04IgWXLyNOk8Gn8b1ITcBUkWsm0/s1600/CIMG1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPDwGjxC6KXf6_EyKuwB_fcAFHDZ4riFA-thkts7Zd6y2d3vXsAdPS4X-taVDqn_STqalj6BKhHCsrp7C311L-NWs1WVoFWE8xrfeTKwnBCFSEq-x04IgWXLyNOk8Gn8b1ITcBUkWsm0/s320/CIMG1291.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"worm" detail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotGvJmznOa-MrYTfodVVjf4Q3upO3Cne34nzOzrC7Feyq3mb60j1-ZLwyoa3jXUKz3iuv4OUDpc5IDTGCPDSVjO7C3vnSaL12NSPm0swF_EdWYY1sTvi-lplXxzmW0zJd6cvPC9rhizg/s1600/CIMG1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotGvJmznOa-MrYTfodVVjf4Q3upO3Cne34nzOzrC7Feyq3mb60j1-ZLwyoa3jXUKz3iuv4OUDpc5IDTGCPDSVjO7C3vnSaL12NSPm0swF_EdWYY1sTvi-lplXxzmW0zJd6cvPC9rhizg/s320/CIMG1292.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"butterfly" detail</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiwaF0aqHr8y-gMRbbyU75dfGNfo042l1gIUgwZU0xL0xHKJhNOO2qUsMwYeMs2tCtbZ4XzdMREuDCt3sIMZqAxLxhJ03IZ061Ot12yb3QSDvr0Yr8fbnhUeVpgfFA5nUzf3RwCaqVak/s1600/CIMG1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiwaF0aqHr8y-gMRbbyU75dfGNfo042l1gIUgwZU0xL0xHKJhNOO2qUsMwYeMs2tCtbZ4XzdMREuDCt3sIMZqAxLxhJ03IZ061Ot12yb3QSDvr0Yr8fbnhUeVpgfFA5nUzf3RwCaqVak/s320/CIMG1293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CBHhdiPo-EoBBboHokbFWWyW5S33B-SFhTx9hrmaE0gzZfNvRKRtCnDZy1RpcQ9e1Jt3x-5ENtcOiHfcuoI2bxLmjauHxZ1Iz1uLBDlDuI9E6Wd4npccvu5FE46MiLu-GWdyXdAX02U/s1600/CIMG1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CBHhdiPo-EoBBboHokbFWWyW5S33B-SFhTx9hrmaE0gzZfNvRKRtCnDZy1RpcQ9e1Jt3x-5ENtcOiHfcuoI2bxLmjauHxZ1Iz1uLBDlDuI9E6Wd4npccvu5FE46MiLu-GWdyXdAX02U/s320/CIMG1296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LoC9krYq87itugY5I-XG44D3bReMH_j1HxysS0LDPj-CAkD0xelGP8Lxyv3zjFIAQnTIbSMNG2DM1bj_4d-DesxVPRcjWyQ-UE2W8hDuA37ANg6C52Iuhk1y8xIfNPIjwX0VvR4yboI/s1600/CIMG1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LoC9krYq87itugY5I-XG44D3bReMH_j1HxysS0LDPj-CAkD0xelGP8Lxyv3zjFIAQnTIbSMNG2DM1bj_4d-DesxVPRcjWyQ-UE2W8hDuA37ANg6C52Iuhk1y8xIfNPIjwX0VvR4yboI/s320/CIMG1297.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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What do you think?GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-92228498862555035352012-09-07T22:11:00.000+02:002012-09-07T22:11:08.451+02:00another creativity burstAfter a very loooong time, I got my inspiration back and I'm writing again. Ok, it's not really writing writing... it's fan fiction... the less 'serious' type of writing... but still...<br />
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<a href="http://fanfiction.net/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmP9aD2MftDz9M_AtQo6Y0T9KjI9jK_7_sk6anGPojn5DLcOoSE2U7K_VSnuczJ-KDn8BF88tUqxh2otjmOQE1wVC85cq5FwrghV6iY71auy5H7dJoL326GNbKxb8zv5axlyG559IU7A/s1600/logoFF_bigger.png" /></a></div>
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If you don't know what to read and a book is to much for you, check out this site: pick a fandom (a movie or a tv show) and browse for something you want to read. There are very talented writers there, it's worth a shot.GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-66526700484117002582012-09-02T23:11:00.000+02:002012-09-02T23:11:35.454+02:00instead of a headboard... - part 2So today I snapped some photos with my phone, ergo... do not expect good quality. I'll make amend when my camera shows up and is properly charged.<br />
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This is the "headboard":<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5X6OSVTtV7CndjVLxvbLmELHzESZibTRqIM2p_sMo0_9PYt-mTt3Wqun0nniBPSpqsiqe8sFIKLkklly2R16rb-DjcuzFX-M4Xrn_W4WeaXmdkyuEi0qFdAr1RJdJG89JyIA06sr8cw/s1600/IMG_1718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5X6OSVTtV7CndjVLxvbLmELHzESZibTRqIM2p_sMo0_9PYt-mTt3Wqun0nniBPSpqsiqe8sFIKLkklly2R16rb-DjcuzFX-M4Xrn_W4WeaXmdkyuEi0qFdAr1RJdJG89JyIA06sr8cw/s320/IMG_1718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ok, so the bed is a little messy... sorry for that.<br />
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This was also my first try-the-piping-thing project, and I totally intend to use this technique again.<br />
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The second instance was up and about in no time... experience does count, or so it seems...<br />
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I have a project or two still left for the girls' room, and then I'll give you the grand tour, as an "after" of my previous "<a href="http://frequentfrenzy.blogspot.it/2012/05/new-girls-bedroom-before.html">before</a>". Stay tuned!<br />
<br />GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-28449856666124451822012-09-01T21:22:00.001+02:002012-09-01T21:22:45.999+02:00instead of a headboard...... why not a bolster?<div>
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Smurfettes' beds don't have a headboard, and after long and careful thinking I didn't want to make things heavy with something woody, so I decided for a textile solution.</div>
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I surfed the net for inspiration, but everything was tufted or overly stuffed, and I wanted something more versatile, not to mention easily washable... you can probably relate with that last requirement if you happen to have kids like mine... artists, that is.</div>
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I came across a disquisition on the difference between bolsters and lumbars (I didn't even suspect there was a difference, by the way), and my brain lighted the proverbial light bulb. I stumbled upon this self explanatory picture that helped me in the choice:</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://www.thenester.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/img12m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://www.thenester.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/img12m.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thenester.com/2011/03/boslter-and-lumbar-inspiration.html">found @ The Nester</a>: check that blog, it's worth it</td></tr>
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So today I got to work. I bought a roll of foam and cut it accordingly to the suitable size (and before you ask: I opted for a lumbar, not regular, 'cause it's about 17"x36"), bought also the striped cotton and linen heavy fabric, got out of my old stash a beige panama cloth for lining, a roll of purple bias tape and a sisal string (the last two for piping) and busied myself.</div>
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See the picture above? I was really busy for the whole afternoon, since I deployed the prototype, which in fact is so good that got promoted to the real thing.</div>
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I must clone that for the second bed, but I'm very satisfied of the result. You'll get to see the pictures tomorrow, 'cause the light is just horrible and everything keeps coming out wrong.</div>
GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-83792278532446136232012-08-28T21:46:00.000+02:002012-08-28T21:46:20.482+02:00off the hookSometimes you end up with a big bag of old, heavy cotton threads and you wonder how to get rid of all that without really throwing it...<br />
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One of my grandmother's favourite "scrap" project was a good old crocheted pot holder ("there's no such thing as too many pot holders, dear"), so I thought why not?<br />
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It's really simple, in fact. The hardest thing was attaching the flower with the invisible thread, 'cause it tends to shrink the applique... but it worked.<br />
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And here's the plus: the pot holder is exactly (and I mean EXACTLY) in the colors of my little kitchen! And it also looks good attached to the backsplash.<br />
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I have some thread left... maybe another? after all, Grandma did say that you never have enough pot holders, didn't she?!GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-29925475224777454342012-08-27T22:15:00.000+02:002012-08-27T22:15:11.535+02:00G-bagMaking totes for friends is refreshing... it's a lovely gift and useful too. The last one I made a few days ago, for a friend of mine that needed a BIG tote for her pool stuff.<br />
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Based on the <a href="http://frequentfrenzy.blogspot.it/2011/08/kindergarden-kit-tote.html">rounded tote</a> pattern, I sewed a g-normous bag:<br />
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You might have recognized the grey Ikea fabric... a sturdy cotton that I find just perfect for a tote. I lined it with a soft purple cotton, given that my friend is *very* fond of that color...</div>
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The personalized touch was easy but the effect is great.<br />
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My friend was very happy with her new tote and she used it right away. I think one of the greatest satisfaction in crafting is knowing that one of your handmade gift has been much appreciated!<br />
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<br />GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-4983075482300006322012-08-14T21:33:00.002+02:002012-08-14T21:33:26.423+02:00almost ready<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/AVvXsEhPW9yR0Fusdjp0I6b__-vV2L8Ev9W0nwY6Gdps2_pfDsvX_YQRoJflKoj0kXbYT9N3CjkZZxeAujdj33hKtZ2_XFVAPLs9C4AurQcYcfG-yXoFYmHX-WSYXZ0-lDDK1xqnZtPRHq_QPfc/s1600/IMG_1678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW9yR0Fusdjp0I6b__-vV2L8Ev9W0nwY6Gdps2_pfDsvX_YQRoJflKoj0kXbYT9N3CjkZZxeAujdj33hKtZ2_XFVAPLs9C4AurQcYcfG-yXoFYmHX-WSYXZ0-lDDK1xqnZtPRHq_QPfc/s320/IMG_1678.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little ornamental vineyard at work, in the garden (we do have <br />bigger vineyards, by the way...) </td></tr>
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Well, the job is not the best and surely has its "downs", but it does have its "ups"...<br />
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For example, back in june, I had those 24 brand new PCs to configure for some of my users... quite intimidating, ain't they? and a little overwhelming too...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErgpACBI84oT1iPDhu8eiKEZEarVBkKzNXhS2b5aWmKpWamBqIB5IoRzavA4sjG7QM813aIQDsw5G5-dFHkrqKhyphenhyphen_5m-vqVo6lZHwhC1JansuhqS-Ucw4rkrDOiIs6f_9RkW3kAIJmhU/s1600/IMG_1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErgpACBI84oT1iPDhu8eiKEZEarVBkKzNXhS2b5aWmKpWamBqIB5IoRzavA4sjG7QM813aIQDsw5G5-dFHkrqKhyphenhyphen_5m-vqVo6lZHwhC1JansuhqS-Ucw4rkrDOiIs6f_9RkW3kAIJmhU/s320/IMG_1548.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"down"</td></tr>
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*But* I got to see those beauties when "patrolling" the vineyards (I'm the vice-lucky guy who goes out to read power and water counters...)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUd7DZk8GeD6ul3vaxgM-rPDa_dG9g0Pf6gI6MPVJ8NYiXWVaSLEj7eTaF3q90QWjt0ntNKNHOuOi6F7BiWwSzIVevLkYfpod4ORAZsoTV_wjpHkUTJ6TJ31pYsZAtiH8LATuNnWEmwHE/s1600/IMG_1542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUd7DZk8GeD6ul3vaxgM-rPDa_dG9g0Pf6gI6MPVJ8NYiXWVaSLEj7eTaF3q90QWjt0ntNKNHOuOi6F7BiWwSzIVevLkYfpod4ORAZsoTV_wjpHkUTJ6TJ31pYsZAtiH8LATuNnWEmwHE/s320/IMG_1542.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"up"</td></tr>
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<br />I can't really whine, now, can I?<br /><br />
<br />GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-27511009744692885082012-08-10T22:26:00.000+02:002012-08-10T22:26:42.967+02:00progressPieced blocks:<br />
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and pieced top:<br />
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Now I must figure out a suitable quilting scheme... I don't want to go with my old linear, the white fabric is too stretchy for that...GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-60465152162469600882012-08-08T23:18:00.003+02:002012-08-08T23:18:29.613+02:00back to the quilting wayHi there, I'm back.<br />
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A couple of days ago I got again the quilting frenzy: you know, planning, picking fabric, drawing schemes... this evening I actually took out my charm pack and yardage of white fabric and got down to business.<br />
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As in chain piecing<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruwR49be3tf_TwMthgZ5E6jS7dF8FfV8CFu_lkckUiefs8SnZaY02upCBPh-453LCAa4uWWQgBjXul90ld239vEqPYE0W_TCgaCB4aKAOntWinlvXFHgIGn_2W42yym7exhi0pKGI2dc/s1600/IMG_1655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruwR49be3tf_TwMthgZ5E6jS7dF8FfV8CFu_lkckUiefs8SnZaY02upCBPh-453LCAa4uWWQgBjXul90ld239vEqPYE0W_TCgaCB4aKAOntWinlvXFHgIGn_2W42yym7exhi0pKGI2dc/s320/IMG_1655.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, I did sew right there...</td></tr>
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and pressing<br />
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and finally admiring the view<br />
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I don't exactly have a definite plan for this top, the only thing I know is I want it to be a little wonky.<br />
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I have to finish piecing the blocks, there's more white sashing to do. Then I'll have to "wonk" it out the blocks and finally piece the whole top.<br />
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This quilt will be a surprise gift, so I can't exactly make lots of photos... but you'll get teasers, lots of them. Stay tuned!GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-73069535717517039942012-08-06T21:07:00.000+02:002012-08-06T21:07:14.501+02:00I've sewed again!Today I finally used my sewing machine and serger after a loooong pause. In the chaos of the moving I've been neglected them for long enough.<br />
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I made the simplest dress for my Smurfette#2, on a pattern I already used for her, only slightly bigger. I plan on doing another for Smurfette#1 once I find a suitable fabric (light and fresh and NOT pink).<br />
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This is it. Sorry, the shots are very poor... but I can't find my camera... I know it's there, I just don't know in which box it is.<br />
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The fabric is from my local shop, and it's a very light printed cotton, with uneven dots all over. It's just the perfect thing for the abnormally hot weather we're having here... I don't even know how they named it... Circe, Ulisse, Nerone... this year is all about ancient times... I don't know and I don't care... all I know is that's freaking hot and we're melting... guess I'll sew a few also for me...GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-82931209290077304972012-07-21T21:59:00.000+02:002012-07-21T21:59:06.353+02:00fake cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've always skipped blog posts on fabric cakes 'cause I thought I was never going to make one anyway... so why bother?</div>
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But this year I helped with the cake selling at school and I wanted to make something for the stall... I already made a chocolate cake, but I thought... why not? and made this fake cake.</div>
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The cake is a chocolate, cream and strawberry deliciousness... if it were real, I would have swallowed it whole...</div>
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The strawberries are Tilda style, I found a tutorial online that I can't find anymore, sorry.<br />
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Being my first (and probably last) try, I am perfectly satisfied. I still think that fabric cakes are not my thing, but I'm happy that this one is now a permanent installment at school... the kids were in awe...!<br />
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<br />GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-88452927562650665172012-07-14T12:56:00.000+02:002012-07-14T12:56:16.379+02:00sorry, no chef here, but...... if you fancy something to eat... I could make a <i>carbonara</i> for you!<br />
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It's not something I do very often, but once in a while I do enjoy a plate full of it.<br />
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And it's soooo easy to make: see? boiling salted water for spaghetti, oil and bacon...<br />
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... an egg, some black pepper and tons of <i>parmigiano</i>.<br />
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And you're done!<br />
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Amazing how crafting can conquer even the kitchen...GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-45900378914843856472012-05-26T22:40:00.001+02:002012-05-26T22:40:43.106+02:00regali maestre 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Questo post è eccezionalmente bilingue perché è espressamente scritto per i genitori dei bimbi di 1a B, che insieme a me condividono questa avventura delle elementari...</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This post is exceptionally written in both italian *and* english 'cause it's specifically intended for the parents of the kids in 1B: we've been sharing this first year of the primary school adventure... but I do post here for you all, so I wanted this note to be also for my standard audience :)</span></i><br />
<i>----------------------------------------------</i><br />
Il pensierino per le maestre è sempre un discorso molto delicato: si ha regolarmente il dubbio che sia troppo o troppo poco e spesso le idee scarseggiano.<br />
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<i>Teachers' gifts are always a very delicate issue: you regularly end up doubting it's too much or too little, and often you run out of options. </i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Quest'anno (che per noi era il primo) era ancora peggio... ma ho sondato il terreno con gli altri genitori e alla fine ho optato per un pensierino</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>handmade</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">, che fosse un passe-partout: la classica borsina di tela, personalizzata, per portare in giro i quaderni dei puffi.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><br />
<i>This year (the first for us) was even worse... but I tested the waters with the other parents and in the end I opted for a handmade gift, a passe-partout: the classic tote bag, personalized, to carry around the Smurfs' notepads.</i><br />
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Così ho preso una bella pezza di lino turchese, due pezze di cotone coordinato, un po' di inchiostro per stoffa, stencil, timbrini e una penna da stoffa e mi sono messa al lavoro. Mi ha dato una mano A., una mia collega che ha adottato l'idea per le "sue" maestre.<br />
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<i>So I bought a smooth linen turquoise fabric, two yardage of coordinated cotton, fabric ink, stencil, stamps and a pen for fabric, and I went to work. A., a colleague and friend of mine, helped, since she adopted the idea for "her" teachers.</i><br />
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Il risultato sono state due borse di lino (per la maestra di matematica e per quella di italiano) e una borsa di cotone (per la maestra di inglese). In caso ve lo steste chiedendo, per la maestra di religione abbiamo donato 10 euro (come le altre classi) all'associazione benefica che lei ci ha indicato.<br />
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<i>The outcome was two linen totes (one for the math teacher and one for the literature teacher) and a cotton tote (for the english teacher). In case you're wondering, for the religion teacher we contributed with 10 euros to the humanitarian association she indicated.</i><br />
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Purtroppo non ho foto della borsa della maestra di inglese (perché l'ho fatta in un secondo momento), ma qui ci sono le foto delle due borse di lino.<br />
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<i>Sadly I don't have photos of the tote for the english teacher, since I made it in another moment, but here are the shots of the two linen totes.</i><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/AVvXsEh73y63XskDubHaHzfr85u9_CO-gQkZJrHGZzuhgvVYdUqBks1TVWNjKWWwJt4E6z1s7QEYavnSUuOcLnOtFheOBnD81BYEovp1ID0wcAusW_ABGlkh7LGr0K-__7e1b-d5ifWLL0gd4cg/s1600/DSCN0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73y63XskDubHaHzfr85u9_CO-gQkZJrHGZzuhgvVYdUqBks1TVWNjKWWwJt4E6z1s7QEYavnSUuOcLnOtFheOBnD81BYEovp1ID0wcAusW_ABGlkh7LGr0K-__7e1b-d5ifWLL0gd4cg/s320/DSCN0771.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">literature tote: a creative shot by Smurfette#1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDnGEjZte6LyAroi5u7HDsNrQ7tAMCOpEfgivP9tzN2wRDNRyqLX1kk1IImUSK4b6qSHNk1CjiOBx6DzXRjPdLPiv6r_XJYlQ7WG1iH4O64a5Zh4HasqNJcCQiFFIt-WY_-fVHEfbu8A/s1600/DSCN0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDnGEjZte6LyAroi5u7HDsNrQ7tAMCOpEfgivP9tzN2wRDNRyqLX1kk1IImUSK4b6qSHNk1CjiOBx6DzXRjPdLPiv6r_XJYlQ7WG1iH4O64a5Zh4HasqNJcCQiFFIt-WY_-fVHEfbu8A/s320/DSCN0769.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">literature tote: the tote and the attached pouch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoD8cwZEuEbSw754vChOiPyu_fVy6kYGDnB2AEDjzG-XMZ5JaUTp7ogUBxMMsCKaIalwL86hj22nZ368lamZk_9WuIudHEbmFNCqZDK7BH6FXL4lU6IDMgWB4aOFtS7gLEY75jVDVJHdU/s1600/DSCN0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoD8cwZEuEbSw754vChOiPyu_fVy6kYGDnB2AEDjzG-XMZ5JaUTp7ogUBxMMsCKaIalwL86hj22nZ368lamZk_9WuIudHEbmFNCqZDK7BH6FXL4lU6IDMgWB4aOFtS7gLEY75jVDVJHdU/s320/DSCN0765.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">literature tote: detail of the front with the stencil and the Smurfs' names</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZxmLpmus-A_YPpRnBJ2UMRqPxtIkYeTmhAz3TCVoC9irdYDW5cGkmFpCXTLyVp7HUbaplW8AAka0D5Wi6JMhisKcaq8roPPD1dGyx2Dm6rUtpQnLJEnt9NXLUkqTD2pqXat5bbeFt00/s1600/Immagine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZxmLpmus-A_YPpRnBJ2UMRqPxtIkYeTmhAz3TCVoC9irdYDW5cGkmFpCXTLyVp7HUbaplW8AAka0D5Wi6JMhisKcaq8roPPD1dGyx2Dm6rUtpQnLJEnt9NXLUkqTD2pqXat5bbeFt00/s320/Immagine.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">math tote: detail of the front</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj8OpksWPvOF3joVeA4a1ro1XR4jjB5OhfqHeLm2JIalptNnwRsLGs9LU06slNWHWEgG87PIkGbbL9qGMtxQeO4YfrcozuZHWhyphenhyphenVkdZct2TckjOw3A7o6Ugt2LVE0nvst1wzFx0wxcnA/s1600/DSCN0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj8OpksWPvOF3joVeA4a1ro1XR4jjB5OhfqHeLm2JIalptNnwRsLGs9LU06slNWHWEgG87PIkGbbL9qGMtxQeO4YfrcozuZHWhyphenhyphenVkdZct2TckjOw3A7o6Ugt2LVE0nvst1wzFx0wxcnA/s320/DSCN0751.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">math tote: detail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCUvZNuoU5Fgq15cobfmdE3VmHcljCkbEAxli-RVYPDQ9b4uCDiVX4fgqJsLHSXmSeVuZqPC8ugHu0GXFGFf8nN-hPWPDHpsHLGv8aeKih1-c1E4od7r2cuOMtrqzyVPYdhDnTcUvhqk/s1600/DSCN0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCUvZNuoU5Fgq15cobfmdE3VmHcljCkbEAxli-RVYPDQ9b4uCDiVX4fgqJsLHSXmSeVuZqPC8ugHu0GXFGFf8nN-hPWPDHpsHLGv8aeKih1-c1E4od7r2cuOMtrqzyVPYdhDnTcUvhqk/s320/DSCN0768.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">both totes: labels with the school name, year and grade</td></tr>
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Entrambe le borse contengono un astuccio coordinato con cerniera.<br />
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<i>Both totes include a coordinated zippered pouch.</i><br />
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Il tutto è stato confezionato con una scatola di cartone ondulato (tipo bomboniera) quadrata e bassa, chiusa con un fiocco di rafia bianca.<br />
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<i>Everything has been wrapped up in a nice cardboard box with a white raffia bow.</i><br />
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Ho cercato di trovare un momento oggi, durante la festa, in cui consegnare i pensierini finché tutti quanti erano ancora presenti, ma purtroppo le maestre erano impegnate con l'organizzazione della festa e non si sono liberate che alla fine, quando i genitori se ne erano già andati ed eravamo rimasti soltanto noi rappresentanti di classe.<br />
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Purtroppo la maestra di inglese non c'era perché se ne è andata presto, ma il pensierino verrà consegnato martedì prossimo, in classe, direttamente dai bambini.<br />
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Le maestre di italiano e matematica, invece, hanno molto apprezzato, erano molto contente e hanno ringraziato tutti quanti i genitori per il pensiero. Che bello quando i regali vengono apprezzati, no?<br />
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<i>The teachers really liked their presents, they were very happy and thanked us all for the thoughtful gifts. Isn't it wonderful when gifts hit home? :)</i><br />
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Con l'occasione, vi ringrazio tutti quanti per la partecipazione alla festa di oggi, che è riuscita benissimo!!<br />
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<i><br /></i>GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-68509824537696804692012-05-25T12:21:00.000+02:002012-05-25T12:21:20.585+02:00new bedroom - beforeLet's continue the house tour with the before installments, and here we are in the master bedroom.<br />
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Not the best angle, I'm afraid...<br />
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Here I used the same dove-grey as the entryway, but painted it full height, with horizontal stripes. You might have noticed I used a stripes pattern which is different for every room. It is not a coincidence, obviously.<br />
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For this room, furniture includes:<br />
- two wardrobes;<br />
- one (big) chest of drawers;<br />
- one bed (duh!)<br />
- side tables;<br />
- big rug;<br />
- lights;<br />
- decoration.<br />
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This room will also stage three of my most ambitious projects:<br />
- the craft corner<br />
- the headboard made of pallets<br />
- the bed skirt <br />
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While I've already planned out everything about the headboard (and I mean planned, down to the last nail) and the bed skirt, I'm still unsure on the outcome for the craft corner. The space is very small and it will have to be highly and perfectly organised to hold everything I have for crafting. This is worrying me, 'cause the current space is *much more* big than the one I have in this new house... I'm probably going to store some things in other places. I hope not, but I might have to. And certainly I'll have to move to another room to actually craft, especially if it's the sewing.<br />
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Stay tuned for updates.GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-41934625977942446862012-05-24T12:09:00.000+02:002012-05-24T12:09:53.274+02:00new entryway - beforeAs for the <a href="http://frequentfrenzy.blogspot.it/2012/05/new-girls-bedroom-before.html">new girls' bedroom</a>, this is more a "during" than a "before". In the before, the walls were all white.<br />
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Don't mind the ugly door... I'll sand it and repaint it as soon as I have the time. As you can see, I didn't reach the full height of the wall with the color: the entryway is narrow and long (and high), so I didn't want the "tunnel" effect. I opted for a light and warm dove-grey, with a narrow horizontal stripe at door top level, to add width, and then all the way up to the ceiling with the white. I really like the final effect.<br />
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I have a very clear idea of what it has to look like, and some furniture is already in place.<br />
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I've been surfing the net for inspiration and organization tips (too much information, by the way... my mind is in overload). Given the small space, I won't have a gorgeous mud room nor a super organized family central... but I'm sure I can come up with something.<br />
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Furniture for this space include:<br />
- a shoe rack, in double size;<br />
- a full-length mirror;<br />
- a stool;<br />
- two shelves;<br />
- a bookcase;<br />
- lights;<br />
- decoration. <br />
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<br />GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-6698178442626440762012-05-22T11:18:00.000+02:002012-05-22T11:18:27.600+02:00mother-daughter dialogues on big themesDialogues with Smurfette#1 (6 years old)<br />
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GEOLOGY SESSION: <br />
Sunday, after a (very) noticeable earth tremor:<br />
"Mom, is it the sleeping volcano (i.e. the Baldo mountain) awakening?"<br />
"No, sweetheart, that was the mountains (i.e. the Alps) growing up."<br />
(a brief lesson on tectonics with paper sheets followed)<br />
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THEOLOGY AND RELATIONSHIPS SESSION:<br />
Yesterday evening, during dinner: <br />
"Mom, I think Jesus was nice when He chose you as my mom."<br />
"And why is that?"<br />
"'Cause I like you very much and you're the coolest mom of all."<br />
"Thanks, love. I like you too."<br />
"Ok, then. So you can give me something sweet instead of that, right?" (*that* being her evening meal, obviously untouched).<br />
...<br />
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<br />GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-82992139966975196852012-05-16T20:43:00.000+02:002012-05-16T20:43:21.592+02:00nature wonders<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“The earth laughs in flowers.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">―</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12080.Ralph_Waldo_Emerson" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Ralph Waldo Emerson</a></span><br />
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Really, she does.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw62z6Yuf2Gt3t3KDrB6IOrKCadg_n_TyWsZSIJ25zNILapJsbLORMyc5YBHJ1PuK3B7j9q1Jy2dQD3mkI-ZP5dYrhbvJZMAlkERSDd-G-Lpjfrq8iQlVj9m7c_LPd-vYaKPoupa4ycVY/s1600/Immagine+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw62z6Yuf2Gt3t3KDrB6IOrKCadg_n_TyWsZSIJ25zNILapJsbLORMyc5YBHJ1PuK3B7j9q1Jy2dQD3mkI-ZP5dYrhbvJZMAlkERSDd-G-Lpjfrq8iQlVj9m7c_LPd-vYaKPoupa4ycVY/s320/Immagine+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWflnIj-HOWa-1GFCBH6Y-CMoeR3epPNTmEYpwB6Hx_TIm6Mvunne-03gTp6_rwtA8tGAKBMc5nTw9cP3x5_Vgsc877VpW2MTD4F_0jlgZkSuBmfjx1WDBl96bLVcyGlAEgaCstc6K18/s1600/Immagine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWflnIj-HOWa-1GFCBH6Y-CMoeR3epPNTmEYpwB6Hx_TIm6Mvunne-03gTp6_rwtA8tGAKBMc5nTw9cP3x5_Vgsc877VpW2MTD4F_0jlgZkSuBmfjx1WDBl96bLVcyGlAEgaCstc6K18/s320/Immagine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That's a poppies field I've been spotting on the route home. I didn't resist and today I stopped the car and took photos while the girls oh-ed and ah-ed over the red beauties (glad they can appreciate simple things).GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-16208530754081366692012-05-11T21:56:00.000+02:002012-05-11T21:56:44.021+02:00new girls' bedroom - before<div>
I've started tackling the huge mountain of Ikea flat packs of furniture, and the first room I decided to assemble was the girls' bedroom.<br />
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It's the bigger room in the house (4.30mtx3.90mt): that's exactly the reason why it's theirs. Although the window faces the north, the room is bright because in front of the house there's a wide but tranquil street and no high buildings.<br />
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Here's a very unflattering "before" (please don't mind the mess):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwBwbC8K8NRQ4xHvNFSKhT-BojJku07j6R8gVzviaKfeZyHZD04is8qackt3Z5mqIsFU2FvVZxkWqQ7oPL0Lj3Cr9A9j1LFDO53UdIFZ5AmIqnfhnZnq1_mGx8ILJYNEZCN09ZczejS4/s1600/gb_before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwBwbC8K8NRQ4xHvNFSKhT-BojJku07j6R8gVzviaKfeZyHZD04is8qackt3Z5mqIsFU2FvVZxkWqQ7oPL0Lj3Cr9A9j1LFDO53UdIFZ5AmIqnfhnZnq1_mGx8ILJYNEZCN09ZczejS4/s320/gb_before.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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which actually is not the real "before", 'cause before I painted it in lilac it was completely white. I don't have anything against white, in fact I like it very much, but when you have a 2.95mt floor-to-ceiling wall, you might want to make it look a little less intimidating... especially when the room is in a girls' bedroom.<br />
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I was asked to paint it pink (and you can easily imagine who asked), but I compromised with lilac.<br />
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For this room I have to assemble:<br />
- 2 beds with storage (one down, one to go)<br />
- 2 wardrobes (one down, one to go)<br />
- 2 chests of drawers (one down, one to go)<br />
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But this is not the biggest part: the final touches (curtains, beddings, carpets, lights, ...) are going to take forever to be done and ready.<br />
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I'll post news as soon as I can.</div>GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-34899423648917870772012-05-10T20:51:00.000+02:002012-05-10T20:51:52.961+02:00working on furniture...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ikea.com/ms/it_IT/img/about/press/pr_images/varie/thumbs/PE173350_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ikea.com/ms/it_IT/img/about/press/pr_images/varie/thumbs/PE173350_thumb.jpg" /></a></div>
I'm furnishing home with Ikea-ware. That means I have something like 30 flat packs, obviously containing disassembled furniture, waiting for crafty hands (mine) to get to work.<br />
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I've been full immersed in the Ikea world, first for planning, then when actually buying and now for assembling, arranging and displaying everything. I'm enjoying every single moment of all this craziness. I know, hopeless. Must have some Mr Ikea's genes in my DNA...<br />
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I'm probably going to share some before&after shots, but I need some more time: I'm no fairy and certainly I don't own a magic wand to order things around. Assembling does take time. Bear with me, please. I promise it'll be worthy.GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-73677366692446283772012-04-23T22:09:00.000+02:002012-04-23T22:09:49.485+02:00turning pointIt's good to know that life has its own ways to shake you up and hand you the most unexpected turning points. It's somewhat comforting, this sense of cautious assurance that, no matter what, there's always a brand new thing, maybe a fresh start, just around the corner.<br />
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I've come to like changes (one thing I didn't even suspect a few months ago), and today has been a little significant step towards an equal significant change. A turning point. Sweet...<br />
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I'm still creating and crafting, but not blogging about it, 'cause I'm feeling a little private at the moment. Said turning point might have some doing in this.<br />
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Sorry for not sharing much, of late...GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-30953786572611362622012-04-11T22:32:00.004+02:002012-04-11T22:32:52.244+02:00next diy projects with pallets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Life has taken unexpected turns lately, and my craft skills are aiming to unexpected targets too.</div>
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I've been fascinated by eco-pallets diy projects, and surfing the net for some inspiration.</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://www.atypicaltypea.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Stylizimo-pallet-headboard-500x750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.atypicaltypea.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Stylizimo-pallet-headboard-500x750.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">headboard @ <a href="http://www.atypicaltypea.com/2011/06/17/pallets/stylizimo-pallet-headboard/">a typical type A</a></td></tr>
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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://www.atypicaltypea.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/pallet-book-shelves-500x647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.atypicaltypea.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/pallet-book-shelves-500x647.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shelves @ <a href="http://www.atypicaltypea.com/2011/06/17/pallets/pallet-book-shelves/">a typical type A</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.atypicaltypea.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/seesaw-pallet-photo-display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.atypicaltypea.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/seesaw-pallet-photo-display.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo display @ <a href="http://www.atypicaltypea.com/2011/06/17/pallets/seesaw-pallet-photo-display/">a typical type A</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaXjcC1-tzgE-Nu2-eJq7h2yHckrimuW82PmTNzl2WyGB7gxw03IXNoTGpk-B9gBm1YXqJ_vmCY1ajDv3NdHbTgvpbcA10_dpPJ7K3o4_w-L1beBL3x6BAQ3xyMDJ-vdWfVa1wmj9MWw/s1600/IMG_6129-682x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaXjcC1-tzgE-Nu2-eJq7h2yHckrimuW82PmTNzl2WyGB7gxw03IXNoTGpk-B9gBm1YXqJ_vmCY1ajDv3NdHbTgvpbcA10_dpPJ7K3o4_w-L1beBL3x6BAQ3xyMDJ-vdWfVa1wmj9MWw/s320/IMG_6129-682x1024.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shelf @ <a href="http://amandacarverdesigns.com/?p=1446">AmandaCarver Designs</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWCtb4PTJAkg37DXdgBvv_OlVLlR0ECuftUulbRM06x7ptojkTbAT3FHPTVwoZ_8ZNjcedU0N3xsuSFQxDFH0r0b9DLVYzLQTiQ_sVy97VMejPOY8TJYG8umA2hy9L2QWr_ILwOIHDSE/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWCtb4PTJAkg37DXdgBvv_OlVLlR0ECuftUulbRM06x7ptojkTbAT3FHPTVwoZ_8ZNjcedU0N3xsuSFQxDFH0r0b9DLVYzLQTiQ_sVy97VMejPOY8TJYG8umA2hy9L2QWr_ILwOIHDSE/s320/019.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bench @ <a href="http://ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.it/2011/10/rustic-pallet-bench.html">Our vintage home love</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r8PKlhgYyLsFVBzXdY0wH-rpng7xcYyKtGNsXgNiXVTuOuWA4KMPe40V0xMcTteetj3vv3AFLOLbYY213w53XuOFgs1MLnmOZaC76148i4Ac_ag_QOY2inwV5GwDKjj135r6Oj_XOkQ/s1600/DSC_2735bb%5B10%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r8PKlhgYyLsFVBzXdY0wH-rpng7xcYyKtGNsXgNiXVTuOuWA4KMPe40V0xMcTteetj3vv3AFLOLbYY213w53XuOFgs1MLnmOZaC76148i4Ac_ag_QOY2inwV5GwDKjj135r6Oj_XOkQ/s320/DSC_2735bb%5B10%5D.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wall art @ <a href="http://www.pbjstories.com/2011/10/living-room-pallet-frame.html">PB&J stories</a></td></tr>
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<br />Ain't they gorgeous? I'm going to try a couple of them very soon. Thank god at work we have a large stock of broken pallets to dig into. Must buy tons of sand paper... and paint too.<br /><br /><br />GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-52718543758845104352012-04-06T22:10:00.000+02:002012-04-06T22:10:13.903+02:00almost there (teachers' gifts)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Planets finally aligned, and we (<a href="http://frequentfrenzy.blogspot.it/2012/03/fabric-shopping-fun.html">A and me</a>) spent two mornings (in a row!!) working on <a href="http://frequentfrenzy.blogspot.it/2012/04/teacher-tote-prototype.html">our teachers' gifts</a>. Smurfette#2 was in kindergarden and Smurfette#2 got the chance to do homework and play with A's daughter (G). The perfect plan, really.</div>
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We started cutting pieces for the (5) totes. While I cut, A was stenciling around, and having a good time too.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeECY074EriJnU0zZnrPCrJtv6bf_OWZ3wKFQb7GOucTpMmfaX1-UCmuHXbInFFG0auT445FrvgCnYUnSnf4XQ9X-Ma_a7CKkTEKfuD-OzDGIyZxmQ8xslO0WSgV8agX0egvl5gwTzR78/s1600/DSCN0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeECY074EriJnU0zZnrPCrJtv6bf_OWZ3wKFQb7GOucTpMmfaX1-UCmuHXbInFFG0auT445FrvgCnYUnSnf4XQ9X-Ma_a7CKkTEKfuD-OzDGIyZxmQ8xslO0WSgV8agX0egvl5gwTzR78/s320/DSCN0755.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happily stenciling</td></tr>
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Then, as we prepared the straps - and by the way, next time I'll buy the strap online... god! they took *forever* - the stenciled parts were drying, like a whole laundry load.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNmNo8WQotU26KI-zPbU3FrUsXMM9b7VIN3vxtX-gxglO9xk7B54KE5OyrHmihyUYOVUeeonvKWUIEojNd3BtG8V11Aay8kpZMv3ZibhsNZAn1mjul-tsqfO11dDRkEAp-HdAyCiZaaI/s1600/DSCN0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNmNo8WQotU26KI-zPbU3FrUsXMM9b7VIN3vxtX-gxglO9xk7B54KE5OyrHmihyUYOVUeeonvKWUIEojNd3BtG8V11Aay8kpZMv3ZibhsNZAn1mjul-tsqfO11dDRkEAp-HdAyCiZaaI/s320/DSCN0752.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We then sewed the totes, so today we could complete them with the final decoration. This morning we also made the zippered pouches, all five of them. Believe me, I could make one even blinded by now...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDP4lcmP61T1QV3TM3ZZNMseyEtpvoAPlAzYijPYcikTZ7xmLD9IP03jBZhUktlE7jLX-Li9q9PJr1dkJsnVOKiRBpefTzR3_AVm0rMTyKvzQ2ZaQPapeh8BNrCCvKlR9PS0RctaZDwMI/s1600/DSCN0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDP4lcmP61T1QV3TM3ZZNMseyEtpvoAPlAzYijPYcikTZ7xmLD9IP03jBZhUktlE7jLX-Li9q9PJr1dkJsnVOKiRBpefTzR3_AVm0rMTyKvzQ2ZaQPapeh8BNrCCvKlR9PS0RctaZDwMI/s320/DSCN0756.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? A is turning inside out one of the freshly sewed pouches.</td></tr>
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We got them all done!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgV8NCq7jQwnSQQ0QTKaGYcpRh49posBonZRh4meDXLMZAITGYSKCGr5iGeLsAaXbTy1KrnJb3wzk-9I9ZI-xhyvXUjzlJWuqIYjU3TAy9Ralxl563g11t8BYIlhjbARkzQAdbBKVYZU/s1600/DSCN0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgV8NCq7jQwnSQQ0QTKaGYcpRh49posBonZRh4meDXLMZAITGYSKCGr5iGeLsAaXbTy1KrnJb3wzk-9I9ZI-xhyvXUjzlJWuqIYjU3TAy9Ralxl563g11t8BYIlhjbARkzQAdbBKVYZU/s320/DSCN0757.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And look what A did while I finished the pouches:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrKs9MZv2VEJf28xM-c8Xu3yBvnCBP8IrOrqmbmjazkf7kPZX1PYhvFcfvIQPHLKK6UaaJBl-BbK_jMhgcV2Z9Uh-cS9Zmtp3vqIV9SXa_B51ZeJ7Be5qktZ8hdybyiFmGb5JEUWjgsQ/s1600/DSCN0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrKs9MZv2VEJf28xM-c8Xu3yBvnCBP8IrOrqmbmjazkf7kPZX1PYhvFcfvIQPHLKK6UaaJBl-BbK_jMhgcV2Z9Uh-cS9Zmtp3vqIV9SXa_B51ZeJ7Be5qktZ8hdybyiFmGb5JEUWjgsQ/s320/DSCN0758.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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She wrote all the kids' and the teacher's names in spiral, then embroided all the beads, also in spiral. Amazing, isn't it?<br />
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We both like very much the contrast between the exterior fabric and the lining inside: we had the right intuition in our shopping session.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPkOVFc7Qvz-vADRPK643Ze5TmJCGwEDtd7YJCtEDCl1tGFWOH8Wj4Hj-ZBCaRBXEowxRxosNpJFUmRxlrgXwSYRvFwUE092bgRmSF7Lv5bidwZbPwc2hxokHT-AX-JrKoISvgto5OTI/s1600/DSCN0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPkOVFc7Qvz-vADRPK643Ze5TmJCGwEDtd7YJCtEDCl1tGFWOH8Wj4Hj-ZBCaRBXEowxRxosNpJFUmRxlrgXwSYRvFwUE092bgRmSF7Lv5bidwZbPwc2hxokHT-AX-JrKoISvgto5OTI/s320/DSCN0761.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And we stamped a handmade statement on each tote.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTy_fPXkGWyhj73MOyGnmkKU0_P82bhIEACTaarS57r9G97rvvi4RyreHSIFMEaRqfYYx3xvgvwjwNB9C3y6JUZ0v0vqeD8WBSq-EcM2p1ooWJDj675VaFDBBqEZ5YxcLjGfOR25eEG8/s1600/DSCN0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTy_fPXkGWyhj73MOyGnmkKU0_P82bhIEACTaarS57r9G97rvvi4RyreHSIFMEaRqfYYx3xvgvwjwNB9C3y6JUZ0v0vqeD8WBSq-EcM2p1ooWJDj675VaFDBBqEZ5YxcLjGfOR25eEG8/s320/DSCN0762.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The green totes are A's, the blue ones are mine. This afternoon I've decorated one of the totes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_0drumme-XT56-Ou7fVVjvRr7Wxm_QLLYAMfmJ4IbfE9LvEXZhVyB2vlzF0hB4ol7iPFl3E_ovTseKxFjzUy38z7wwXJ0XK9cAxRcGg1Dg9U-RsSeZeEtcMmB1TkTfcEUtfbsBZ-j3M/s1600/DSCN0764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_0drumme-XT56-Ou7fVVjvRr7Wxm_QLLYAMfmJ4IbfE9LvEXZhVyB2vlzF0hB4ol7iPFl3E_ovTseKxFjzUy38z7wwXJ0XK9cAxRcGg1Dg9U-RsSeZeEtcMmB1TkTfcEUtfbsBZ-j3M/s320/DSCN0764.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I've written all the kids' names to the left, separated by a little flower with a bead in the center, and I've used little courier stamps to write the teacher's name on the stenciled heart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoD8cwZEuEbSw754vChOiPyu_fVy6kYGDnB2AEDjzG-XMZ5JaUTp7ogUBxMMsCKaIalwL86hj22nZ368lamZk_9WuIudHEbmFNCqZDK7BH6FXL4lU6IDMgWB4aOFtS7gLEY75jVDVJHdU/s1600/DSCN0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoD8cwZEuEbSw754vChOiPyu_fVy6kYGDnB2AEDjzG-XMZ5JaUTp7ogUBxMMsCKaIalwL86hj22nZ368lamZk_9WuIudHEbmFNCqZDK7BH6FXL4lU6IDMgWB4aOFtS7gLEY75jVDVJHdU/s320/DSCN0765.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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In the label inside I've stamped the year reference and written down the class.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vVjgwkUsv2PrjPxvD1yj6PUWW7lM8gEApsk-e4NJxcfdKsngbELNF6Vf9D77JN4x7W5IJpeL8G0Dxt20Xoj5FrEx1bgR8eKarQKtsnhMv73uEHFhl7NHCtDsl9ELW3r8oMUPV64zqMc/s1600/DSCN0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vVjgwkUsv2PrjPxvD1yj6PUWW7lM8gEApsk-e4NJxcfdKsngbELNF6Vf9D77JN4x7W5IJpeL8G0Dxt20Xoj5FrEx1bgR8eKarQKtsnhMv73uEHFhl7NHCtDsl9ELW3r8oMUPV64zqMc/s320/DSCN0767.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Behind the label there's the school name.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCUvZNuoU5Fgq15cobfmdE3VmHcljCkbEAxli-RVYPDQ9b4uCDiVX4fgqJsLHSXmSeVuZqPC8ugHu0GXFGFf8nN-hPWPDHpsHLGv8aeKih1-c1E4od7r2cuOMtrqzyVPYdhDnTcUvhqk/s1600/DSCN0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCUvZNuoU5Fgq15cobfmdE3VmHcljCkbEAxli-RVYPDQ9b4uCDiVX4fgqJsLHSXmSeVuZqPC8ugHu0GXFGFf8nN-hPWPDHpsHLGv8aeKih1-c1E4od7r2cuOMtrqzyVPYdhDnTcUvhqk/s320/DSCN0768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The tote and the pouch are a happy couple! I think that this is a perfect gift for a teacher. And handmade screams of care and thoughtful things.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDnGEjZte6LyAroi5u7HDsNrQ7tAMCOpEfgivP9tzN2wRDNRyqLX1kk1IImUSK4b6qSHNk1CjiOBx6DzXRjPdLPiv6r_XJYlQ7WG1iH4O64a5Zh4HasqNJcCQiFFIt-WY_-fVHEfbu8A/s1600/DSCN0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDnGEjZte6LyAroi5u7HDsNrQ7tAMCOpEfgivP9tzN2wRDNRyqLX1kk1IImUSK4b6qSHNk1CjiOBx6DzXRjPdLPiv6r_XJYlQ7WG1iH4O64a5Zh4HasqNJcCQiFFIt-WY_-fVHEfbu8A/s320/DSCN0769.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The next shot was taken by Smurfette#1: should I think she likes it?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73y63XskDubHaHzfr85u9_CO-gQkZJrHGZzuhgvVYdUqBks1TVWNjKWWwJt4E6z1s7QEYavnSUuOcLnOtFheOBnD81BYEovp1ID0wcAusW_ABGlkh7LGr0K-__7e1b-d5ifWLL0gd4cg/s1600/DSCN0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73y63XskDubHaHzfr85u9_CO-gQkZJrHGZzuhgvVYdUqBks1TVWNjKWWwJt4E6z1s7QEYavnSUuOcLnOtFheOBnD81BYEovp1ID0wcAusW_ABGlkh7LGr0K-__7e1b-d5ifWLL0gd4cg/s320/DSCN0771.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-44881271318805772832012-04-05T23:29:00.002+02:002012-04-05T23:35:57.502+02:00Liebster Blog nomination<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpEjpAa4kVx_VQHplgHnQgX0anDudQJgAEVpkvNvz6rhwKs2LUS3MlYcvJt78J79Nrc8XTLYWN0A_kodN91vxgU4wYKJ9ePYaYugAEYYt4dHYA4NTCgRT8XXjJzBO2xj7IV0NZVpIBJU/s1600/liebster-blog-award-L-ouOVs3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpEjpAa4kVx_VQHplgHnQgX0anDudQJgAEVpkvNvz6rhwKs2LUS3MlYcvJt78J79Nrc8XTLYWN0A_kodN91vxgU4wYKJ9ePYaYugAEYYt4dHYA4NTCgRT8XXjJzBO2xj7IV0NZVpIBJU/s1600/liebster-blog-award-L-ouOVs3.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've been nominated for this special blog award: thanks <a href="http://topstotreasures.blogspot.it/">Cindy @ Tops To Treasures</a>!!!!<br />
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Now it's my turn. I have to:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">1. Thank the person who gave me the award (check)</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">2. Link back to her blog: </span>happily oblige...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 19px;"></span></span><br />
<h1 class="title" style="color: #513831; font: normal normal bold 48px/normal Calligraffitti; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 1px 2px 3px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://topstotreasures.blogspot.it/" style="color: #513831; text-decoration: none;">Tops to Treasures</a></span></h1>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(check)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">3. Copy and paste the Liebster award to my profile (check)</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. Pick 5 blogs that I feel deserve to be in the spotlight (they must have under 200 followers): again, I happily oblige (strict alphabetical order)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Erin @ <a href="http://billybuttondesign.blogspot.it/">Billy Button Design</a></span></div>
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Fabraholic @ <a href="http://maylifeonline.blogspot.it/">Confessions of a Fabraholic</a></div>
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Multicolored Pieces @ <a href="http://multicoloredpieces.blogspot.it/">Multicolored Pieces</a></div>
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Chiara @ <a href="http://www.mycountrynest.org/">My Country Nest</a></div>
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Rossana @ <a href="http://roxyquilt.blogspot.com/">Roxy Quilt</a></div>
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(check)<br />
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Well, that was hard... 'cause I love every single blog I follow (and there are a few...)<br />
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Thanks again, Cindy, for your nomination!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"></span></span></span></div>
</span>GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195031701234912708.post-15881451162485518202012-04-01T22:36:00.000+02:002012-04-01T22:36:19.167+02:00teacher tote - the prototypeI had to make sure <a href="http://frequentfrenzy.blogspot.it/2012/03/fabric-shopping-fun.html">the next teachers' gifts</a> were suitable, so I made a prototype.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0_ffKtw6EQ7MZgZz8ykQpHzE1paWN8wpQhdV7maQqpgJXDdGlP6j7KMVf2jMETAxkFye64SC8R3pvHTHr4DjSeHTqcpINAszfqKRZFgir80Mw1-7tUtELPerGMzURk_GchWJP5_Egwo/s1600/DSCN0750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0_ffKtw6EQ7MZgZz8ykQpHzE1paWN8wpQhdV7maQqpgJXDdGlP6j7KMVf2jMETAxkFye64SC8R3pvHTHr4DjSeHTqcpINAszfqKRZFgir80Mw1-7tUtELPerGMzURk_GchWJP5_Egwo/s320/DSCN0750.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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I made this tote without a pattern, just knowing that it has to be big enough to carry about 20 notebooks. </div>
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Inside there's a little zippered pouch, attached to the tote with a key ring.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnljoGa83PslTGLvmLCMoND_PB2JoTTa5oAUIDloh-Y9tcX9tz-668rsnilvdMW2mSHKdM6rPd36cf7cv6YQLA_ahpqW8FcGhf-T789oVGNqKcOULPZT0L5iA7KW02vsR8tmx7eE1D3Dw/s1600/DSCN0747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnljoGa83PslTGLvmLCMoND_PB2JoTTa5oAUIDloh-Y9tcX9tz-668rsnilvdMW2mSHKdM6rPd36cf7cv6YQLA_ahpqW8FcGhf-T789oVGNqKcOULPZT0L5iA7KW02vsR8tmx7eE1D3Dw/s320/DSCN0747.JPG" width="320" /></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/AVvXsEgry1vxm99o0AFg7BzdY3KrrgOmVlqZ5naGRmoMcVjCaXSadVCeQJJv4D1dQ25nQdDDxnZZXfAXv0jQqDkMsldt3rX2Eu5qdrezYbSCzaz68Y7FSD2EZTFSFN8apyph3k_DIATHBIJ3Tq8/s1600/DSCN0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgry1vxm99o0AFg7BzdY3KrrgOmVlqZ5naGRmoMcVjCaXSadVCeQJJv4D1dQ25nQdDDxnZZXfAXv0jQqDkMsldt3rX2Eu5qdrezYbSCzaz68Y7FSD2EZTFSFN8apyph3k_DIATHBIJ3Tq8/s320/DSCN0748.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tote & pouch, attached<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbf4VPk71nOmNugPRFNcd3ve6LXNXuJIf1wG1m4PLM8IbASgXfkFYfxBzOnprVuzWakGNDpkJHE-P3cQWjcIiQHVa7Ags3uY7sX30ro6xEG5pwzIwwZkL0jZYA7GlSNNBUA3iKWeralo/s1600/DSCN0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbf4VPk71nOmNugPRFNcd3ve6LXNXuJIf1wG1m4PLM8IbASgXfkFYfxBzOnprVuzWakGNDpkJHE-P3cQWjcIiQHVa7Ags3uY7sX30ro6xEG5pwzIwwZkL0jZYA7GlSNNBUA3iKWeralo/s320/DSCN0749.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The pouch is also lined with the same fabric as the interior of the tote. It's a striped soft cotton, but strong enough to support the exterior linen with the "hard work". It's also very easy to wash.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj8OpksWPvOF3joVeA4a1ro1XR4jjB5OhfqHeLm2JIalptNnwRsLGs9LU06slNWHWEgG87PIkGbbL9qGMtxQeO4YfrcozuZHWhyphenhyphenVkdZct2TckjOw3A7o6Ugt2LVE0nvst1wzFx0wxcnA/s1600/DSCN0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj8OpksWPvOF3joVeA4a1ro1XR4jjB5OhfqHeLm2JIalptNnwRsLGs9LU06slNWHWEgG87PIkGbbL9qGMtxQeO4YfrcozuZHWhyphenhyphenVkdZct2TckjOw3A7o6Ugt2LVE0nvst1wzFx0wxcnA/s320/DSCN0751.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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All in all, I'm happy with the idea, but I will make some adjustments in the next versions:</div>
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1) the outside pocket is a bit too much: try an inside pocket instead;</div>
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2) sew the label in the side seam, and keep it smaller;</div>
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3) increase the width of the straps: first off it's to difficult to take them inside out, and secondly one more inch will add to proportions.</div>
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I'm still debating if it's better to use <a href="http://frequentfrenzy.blogspot.it/2011/08/kindergarden-kit-tote.html">Smurfette#2's tote pattern</a>... Maybe I'll make another try, in green, so that I can decide on real things.</div>
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<br />GIOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06279030446251210407noreply@blogger.com0