tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89413366805138094212024-03-14T03:02:23.176-06:00Art and FactsBehind Every Object is a StoryArt and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-29127086212557214652016-01-01T10:29:00.000-06:002016-01-26T10:30:54.635-06:00Another year gone by. Facing the resolutions.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy 2016 everyone. High or low resolution count, we work with what we can obtain, not with what we cannot obtain!</div>
Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-33417691129368690142015-12-16T10:18:00.000-06:002016-01-26T10:32:32.339-06:00Christmas Wreath Mishap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Another holiday, another wreath! </div>
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I had been collecting expired bulbs from our Christmas lights with a goal to add them to a wreath. This was the year that I had enough of them. This <a href="http://artandfacts.blogspot.com/search/label/Cheapskate%20Tips" target="_blank">Cheapskate Tip</a> involves trash (expired bulbs) and ribbon. That's it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlP689E9TsWfKyRaUYuJ5LxHiZCI9uh27treoPM8j9sl5lM-cFc7E24LtN0yj-M3YSoGYktL2cbYuVR6DrCahx3Vc7NgwPCrCcKUOhABSnhelS1i7k3oyzgXXqEzwiebZGg1qofOv2_e0/s640/blogger-image-1830338122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlP689E9TsWfKyRaUYuJ5LxHiZCI9uh27treoPM8j9sl5lM-cFc7E24LtN0yj-M3YSoGYktL2cbYuVR6DrCahx3Vc7NgwPCrCcKUOhABSnhelS1i7k3oyzgXXqEzwiebZGg1qofOv2_e0/s640/blogger-image-1830338122.jpg" /></a></div>
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Wrap ribbon around wreath, pinning the beginning and end into the wreath itself. I was partial to the curly ribbon at the end so I let it hang at the bottom.</div>
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Here, I individually wrapped floral wire around the thread of the bulb and created a hook formation of the wire and poked it into the ribbon and wreath, doing so all around the outer edge of the wreath. Of course, the dog must supervise this effort!</div>
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Closeup</div>
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Hooking in the bulbs</div>
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This takes a while...</div>
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Completed effort; bird's eye view</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXITUGDZ2m0D3cA_HxgU7bNehqTKRHD2ksHtfkppMSblZGFTekzf7RpJUdxfe-vWJlPOcvW8QiYGe3msUSxr3gwFWfDsM7-sj5i6gkQRoyizGF49sWcsC2m0KLL2G0Ne_nUVinAh80ng/s640/blogger-image-1193199808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXITUGDZ2m0D3cA_HxgU7bNehqTKRHD2ksHtfkppMSblZGFTekzf7RpJUdxfe-vWJlPOcvW8QiYGe3msUSxr3gwFWfDsM7-sj5i6gkQRoyizGF49sWcsC2m0KLL2G0Ne_nUVinAh80ng/s640/blogger-image-1193199808.jpg" /></a></div>
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I then wrapped a string of tiny LED lights around the wreath and hung the wreath to see how it would look, and to add finishing touches. Notice a bulb missing here?...</div>
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...Not all ideas are fruitful, and this is okay! Lesson learned...back to the drawing board.</div>
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Instead, I pulled all of the bulbs and twisted the wire together so that they formed a large bunch. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMNPd6L6a8uizEt2okmGiic5GT4S3ElefzbPJCUp9FULXB_uA-1gSfWoELz04Ie28t0AyThqiSa7qAeLZU8CGvjVTt1Iv0cJmEin8PVFaElAluK1dR5C8qHpQEVMrGsgcihhe_SocEyE/s640/blogger-image--1010867660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMNPd6L6a8uizEt2okmGiic5GT4S3ElefzbPJCUp9FULXB_uA-1gSfWoELz04Ie28t0AyThqiSa7qAeLZU8CGvjVTt1Iv0cJmEin8PVFaElAluK1dR5C8qHpQEVMrGsgcihhe_SocEyE/s640/blogger-image--1010867660.jpg" /></a></div>
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I also decided to take the remaining ribbon and loop it three times at the bottom to create the look of gift wrap.</div>
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Wrap the bulb cluster wire around the bottom. They are not going anywhere this time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HXXPU8KIuDuu0MnUmicAWr7GFCKMaxiGXxq2QVH20-KdYuUTDpui1Q2Y2XIfzCCqxwO3bcrO558Wudw8ekOA7qdW1OF9gN_kiUTZWPgHeVoc6Txa4JU5iYdnEKoVlOaU_4acEdDMWZA/s640/blogger-image--553735345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HXXPU8KIuDuu0MnUmicAWr7GFCKMaxiGXxq2QVH20-KdYuUTDpui1Q2Y2XIfzCCqxwO3bcrO558Wudw8ekOA7qdW1OF9gN_kiUTZWPgHeVoc6Txa4JU5iYdnEKoVlOaU_4acEdDMWZA/s640/blogger-image--553735345.jpg" /></a></div>
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I used a pillow ornament to cover the LED battery pack hanging in the middle of the wreath. This ornament was given to me years ago by a co-worker. I'm still perplexed by its message to this day, but I love it because of its double-meaning!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEige8xj0X8Ik74gOfKUAMnlf1rVmCiBixhPEPu4hfD1mS1xsVIUqP4Uyo-9ud1kg4VzNBPCjIyj0IeI06_w2CXnsIdvNbtBUiIlj8UCuAgmPCi_08gEPF8YucWYaBbg4TJV0wx10lDc4Bk/s640/blogger-image-772460082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEige8xj0X8Ik74gOfKUAMnlf1rVmCiBixhPEPu4hfD1mS1xsVIUqP4Uyo-9ud1kg4VzNBPCjIyj0IeI06_w2CXnsIdvNbtBUiIlj8UCuAgmPCi_08gEPF8YucWYaBbg4TJV0wx10lDc4Bk/s640/blogger-image-772460082.jpg" /></a></div>
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I added a bit more flair above the bulb cluster--red glitter foliage, purchased last year on clearance at a craft store. These little pieces are great for gift wrap too.</div>
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This festive little wreath took longer than anticipated, but hey...not all ideas can be fruitful. Mishaps force us to learn. Mishaps are great opportunities to laugh at yourself. Sometimes even, a better idea can evolve after a mishap. </div>
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Hoping that your holidays are wonderful, mishaps and all!</div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-23291193888818440362015-11-20T16:08:00.000-06:002015-11-25T23:58:27.652-06:00Thankswreathing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy Thanksgiving greetings, all! Life seems to have surely sped up within the past month and I feel like a can't get a grip. It's unfortunate given that this is the time of year that we need to slow down and reflect on all that we are grateful for.</div>
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Speaking of lack of time, I wanted to update our wreath to something more Thanksgiving-ish and less Halloween-ish. I had about 10 minutes to do so while dinner was simmering. I (of course) used items I already had laying around, so I'd classify this project as <a href="http://artandfacts.blogspot.com/search/label/Cheapskate%20Tips" target="_blank">Cheapskate</a>. What else would it be?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEJjfye09cQQM4FoHuNnVuk37OHDotc1jW2a3V2hM3TMIJAr2c3ZT2KPXEeRq0JX855ancVgKfE4_-EDtjYvL9jHIAG4_ovvrp6Wi2z71j40nd2WKQldxdfM-F6VvS-mT4v7HXxgKXHo/s640/blogger-image--898572499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEJjfye09cQQM4FoHuNnVuk37OHDotc1jW2a3V2hM3TMIJAr2c3ZT2KPXEeRq0JX855ancVgKfE4_-EDtjYvL9jHIAG4_ovvrp6Wi2z71j40nd2WKQldxdfM-F6VvS-mT4v7HXxgKXHo/s640/blogger-image--898572499.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here's the finished wreath hanging on our door. My camera is really starting to show its age, isn't it?</div>
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I typically like to construct my Thanksgiving wreaths of colors in orange, beige, and/or gold family. After digging through my scrap fabric, I found this strip of orange silk crinkle tablecloth that would be perfect for wrapping the wreath. Leaving the wreath in its natural state would have worked too.</div>
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I had plenty of fabric remaining after I wrapped it around one time, and decided it would look cool just to leave the rest hanging.</div>
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I also found in my scrap fabric bucket a beautiful sample upholstery fabric piece. The beauty in the fabric samples is that most are selvedge-sewn on the edges so they look nice and neat as they are. No sew! Whoo hoo! I wanted this perfect square of fabric to transform into an oversized bow. A simple accordion fold and wrapping in the center with the hanging piece of fabric did the job.</div>
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Oversized bows are floppy. They have to be pinned in place. Locate some sewing pins that match your fabric color to discreetly pin the top of the bow corners in place.</div>
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Use another pin to secure the hanging fabric that you wrapped around the center of the bow. Pin in back. Wreath is complete!</div>
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Here's to hoping you find a little time to focus on something you enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-86431044272034944742015-10-11T23:37:00.000-05:002015-10-25T23:42:51.791-06:00Creepy Cheapskate Wreath<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Halloween is around the corner, and it should be epic being that it will be observed on a weekend this year! Of course, I cannot neglect the hanging of a spooky wreath to commemorate such a fun annual event. And if you know me, I never follow through with making the same thing twice. B-o-r-i-n-g. Also, you know this wreath will be of a cheapskate variety. Yep. <a href="http://artandfacts.blogspot.com/search/label/Cheapskate%20Tips" target="_blank">Cheapskate</a> wreath, folks!</div>
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I wanted all black this year, with a vintage vibe. I was also craving feathers and lights. I wasn't sure how I wanted it to look, but I just begin and let it all flow from there. Here is what the finished product looked like, before I strung on the tiny LED lights. Apologies for the sub-par photos.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbE0rbZNy0kdnpGHN25a6r9HNkCIK7kcA8v93Knvd5Fj535K_Syfa4vWkc44wutCP_MC2fOm5HspDc7-o1NT0nQKxFI2qDRTAUZCf0Qr89Xhsjc1wPZdjZnP7GsdEG2VubFWpRG9YjEI/s640/blogger-image--317382917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbE0rbZNy0kdnpGHN25a6r9HNkCIK7kcA8v93Knvd5Fj535K_Syfa4vWkc44wutCP_MC2fOm5HspDc7-o1NT0nQKxFI2qDRTAUZCf0Qr89Xhsjc1wPZdjZnP7GsdEG2VubFWpRG9YjEI/s640/blogger-image--317382917.jpg" /></a></div>
Here's the scoop:<br />
Find the same old scrappy wreath that you use year after year. This project isn't the cheapest Cheapskate Tip I've shared..I admit that I purchased a few things for this one, rather than utilize items I already have in the house. However, the items I purchased totaled $7! There are so many variations that can be made with these supplies too. I divulge in some other ideas below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tBIshv7IQslzHyTyy4TrDzj1VXgDjWP-_1SvyzkuJWfn2U2WTPqZ0nSXrOY22YuJfvO_2HHlyhNG5Ha_Zvy38flGlCAiOuVxRRq7WQZRdrFl9AEILVsMcxCfjtALYLpNlGwkksZ6nC8/s640/blogger-image--1092548755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tBIshv7IQslzHyTyy4TrDzj1VXgDjWP-_1SvyzkuJWfn2U2WTPqZ0nSXrOY22YuJfvO_2HHlyhNG5Ha_Zvy38flGlCAiOuVxRRq7WQZRdrFl9AEILVsMcxCfjtALYLpNlGwkksZ6nC8/s640/blogger-image--1092548755.jpg" /></a></div>
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Supplies:</div>
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1 feather boa, color of your choice (I purchased this at a craft store)</div>
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Paper crepe streamer, color of your choice (purchased at craft store)</div>
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Raven, or other creepy object (purchased at dollar store)</div>
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Computer/ paper/ printer</div>
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Glue stick</div>
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Pins</div>
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Wrap the crepe streamer around the wreath for full color coverage. Start and finish the wrap with a pin.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzn4Qq0uFAzZFJjZN0cJ3AePE3SnFFBJlR-H5UbavCwW0-jPln-CIdihso79l-RZSdifi82n9apiUEtQGIE96kY5xItAYoKWqFcXG6iDZqPa2ALG661dB4jZB_Ny4oFBGhyphenhyphen0og07c95U/s640/blogger-image--1564386446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzn4Qq0uFAzZFJjZN0cJ3AePE3SnFFBJlR-H5UbavCwW0-jPln-CIdihso79l-RZSdifi82n9apiUEtQGIE96kY5xItAYoKWqFcXG6iDZqPa2ALG661dB4jZB_Ny4oFBGhyphenhyphen0og07c95U/s640/blogger-image--1564386446.jpg" /></a></div>
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Stop what you are doing in attempt to get your sweet but attention-seeking house critter off of your project before it rips.</div>
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Give your house critter the attention she deserves. I discovered that my dog looks great in feather boas, and pretty convinced she felt just as glam.</div>
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Ok, focus. Anyhow, after pinning the crepe streamer, this is where your imagination can fly. I had an extra amount at the end after I cut it, and wondered what it would look like if I pinned the extra across the inside to make a banner for something to be glued on (as pictured above.) At this moment in time, I had no idea what I was going to glue onto my banner.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIw6-K4nd3x6g3P6HJMv3Cec0UlUgIBhcyvUV5b9bC92E1xX7yHOjomsRllRgNg9TvJKvPoxDKrKNJt9NxLOEt5J6EHmJmDYxhMD3N3sXnWHMTH7bqzdYErVPzbPOCrLKgUke2jQiN8Mc/s640/blogger-image--463715124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIw6-K4nd3x6g3P6HJMv3Cec0UlUgIBhcyvUV5b9bC92E1xX7yHOjomsRllRgNg9TvJKvPoxDKrKNJt9NxLOEt5J6EHmJmDYxhMD3N3sXnWHMTH7bqzdYErVPzbPOCrLKgUke2jQiN8Mc/s640/blogger-image--463715124.jpg" /></a></div>
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Next, grab your feather boa and wrap it over the paper crepe, cognizant of the the length. The boa was a much shorter length, so I had to create distance with the wrap. Again, pin the start and end of the boa to the wreath.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxOm_0GTjQvtb5BLMVQriP8_uHikyNNmZbPIJaUs8ncnzTy1ZoZiogAurmH_TmsqrboVVAVBN36AmJnV49IbhqgmU5P5odK_YeQbLl6Hm16hPWVvcWcUN7RjuZHI2y4yP2T-TrxyNtgE/s640/blogger-image--1805509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxOm_0GTjQvtb5BLMVQriP8_uHikyNNmZbPIJaUs8ncnzTy1ZoZiogAurmH_TmsqrboVVAVBN36AmJnV49IbhqgmU5P5odK_YeQbLl6Hm16hPWVvcWcUN7RjuZHI2y4yP2T-TrxyNtgE/s640/blogger-image--1805509.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here's what it looked like. I was loving the texture. I stared at it like this for a while and thought that gluing the word "boo" to the banner is an inexpensive, work-with-what-I-have tactic. I took to my computer and found a font that I was happy with, and arranged the letters in various sizes on one page to ensure one of the sizes would work best. Print page.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT8yZXls-S7ngPHL4l_Vg0hfFiYTkFhAAP39j-WIAAxJ1x4TD1yPfhRZfArzOpv0Hipku_oUmxsSNSO5XH3UgUkOPIvwlLTt0Sl6Ej1fVA_pqiWog3qPC2NFoAKeHdONFauMSuTrm8DE/s640/blogger-image--1407647918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT8yZXls-S7ngPHL4l_Vg0hfFiYTkFhAAP39j-WIAAxJ1x4TD1yPfhRZfArzOpv0Hipku_oUmxsSNSO5XH3UgUkOPIvwlLTt0Sl6Ej1fVA_pqiWog3qPC2NFoAKeHdONFauMSuTrm8DE/s640/blogger-image--1407647918.jpg" /></a></div>
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Cut out the letters. Since the font is black and will be glued on a black background, I cut outside of the letters so that there was a white outline. I was not a perfectionist with the cutting, as I felt the more erratic my cutting was, the more creepy it would look.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivobr2LexUYkN_j03Ur7JpDl3r4DOwqsNPEfkNyBYr2kzr4tGkY2uglpVmXgt1lCVbp49FTZyycCYIcvBHGTxMEdGgOVVjPEW0tc-XIfXxHzI56b9JvA8yl9N34q_LIIiYAlRtgS-NhTc/s640/blogger-image-1035057605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivobr2LexUYkN_j03Ur7JpDl3r4DOwqsNPEfkNyBYr2kzr4tGkY2uglpVmXgt1lCVbp49FTZyycCYIcvBHGTxMEdGgOVVjPEW0tc-XIfXxHzI56b9JvA8yl9N34q_LIIiYAlRtgS-NhTc/s640/blogger-image-1035057605.jpg" /></a></div>
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Glue the letters onto the banner with glue stick. Presto. Done.</div>
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Close-up of the banner. You of course, do not have to opt for the banner, and could make a black flower with the excess crepe streamer. You could cut the excess and not do anything with the crepe. Another option would be to leave several streams of black crepe hanging from the bottom of the wreath to tickle and scare those who pass by. Maybe next year...too many ideas.</div>
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I felt like my wreath needed something else. I wanted it to be black too. I didn't have anything at home that would work, so I made a trip to the dollar store to see what I'd find. I scored this cool raven for, you guessed it...$1.</div>
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His feet were already wired underneath so I punctured the wire into the wreath and he stayed put. I wanted illumination next. I had this LED "candle" and propped it underneath the raven. It looked okay but I wasn't quite satisfied.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlr-2dFEloFWM1bfNyHLJkXm8enD0QNcTAFm4cTToMUPY7l4cC_P0-U8ORwyqUS0DapuXxSaVfjuW2vsQnnHAFl8rsAXmTjlZiaaGGb9I-2z2YeRCq7cJ8OU3lP-HPIK6eZUW91gI2aU/s640/blogger-image--689489869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlr-2dFEloFWM1bfNyHLJkXm8enD0QNcTAFm4cTToMUPY7l4cC_P0-U8ORwyqUS0DapuXxSaVfjuW2vsQnnHAFl8rsAXmTjlZiaaGGb9I-2z2YeRCq7cJ8OU3lP-HPIK6eZUW91gI2aU/s640/blogger-image--689489869.jpg" /></a></div>
I had some LED string lights at home so I wrapped the wreath with the string lights. It looks pretty nice at night, and the tiny LEDs aren't too distracting during the day.<br />
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What a cinch of a Cheapskate Tip to share this Halloween, and I hope you have a spooky one!</div>
Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-9108865076236210822015-09-28T14:38:00.000-05:002015-10-07T00:00:35.290-05:00Working From Home...The New Compensated Solitary Confinement?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello all! It's been a while since I've checked in with a blog post. In fact, I haven't had much to say the past couple of months since you have last heard from me. My creative juice is low, and my need to write has been on the back-burner since I find it difficult to sit down to write after 10 hours of sitting down for work.<br />
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You see, I work from home, and have done so for two years now. I literally crawl out of bed, put on the same pair of house pants and t-shirt, and walk across the hall to my "office" to start the day in front of a computer.<br />
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Now, before you begin thinking, "how lucky is she?" and "what do you do for a living...I want to sign up for that!" consider this post as a rain-on-your-grass-is-greener-conversation. Not to sound negative, but the public mindset of working from home is quite interesting. The reactions I receive from strangers when I tell them I work from home varies, but for the most part, there is envy.<br />
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In part, this envy might stem from media. I typically see job advertisements recruiting for work-from-home positions that look like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS9VKM4a41ixRZdYes-Nbvu-W2Sh70tuDPH_Vf_v6WerATONz6asNkJ6HpXtkzMtlANWL21_pC7a6M_zyeYhDVPpIbJC74wyDj_w0_Eajd7F7-zNXiSLdH9yq1NQAWNDbrSNfVFS9Rog/s1600/man_with_laptop_on_floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS9VKM4a41ixRZdYes-Nbvu-W2Sh70tuDPH_Vf_v6WerATONz6asNkJ6HpXtkzMtlANWL21_pC7a6M_zyeYhDVPpIbJC74wyDj_w0_Eajd7F7-zNXiSLdH9yq1NQAWNDbrSNfVFS9Rog/s320/man_with_laptop_on_floor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>"I LOVE getting dressed up for the office, but instead complete my job tasks on the floor at home. In fact, I can knock out my yoga practice WHILE working! What a FLEXIBLE schedule! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, haaaaaaaah, ha!"</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PD7B2Whiu3Pb_ET06k-1e_5CHcDmwE9q4N__yo9d0IDLuJeMw2_Z2Z3XwfU4OO-X7pyuyZJcZpsJmi16WThVqwuy0eRvL46PKkq1lQIuJZBmrgynb2o-AiuQIIzhCW6BRP8cnX5mLgw/s1600/work-from-home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PD7B2Whiu3Pb_ET06k-1e_5CHcDmwE9q4N__yo9d0IDLuJeMw2_Z2Z3XwfU4OO-X7pyuyZJcZpsJmi16WThVqwuy0eRvL46PKkq1lQIuJZBmrgynb2o-AiuQIIzhCW6BRP8cnX5mLgw/s320/work-from-home.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>"With a computer in front of me, and a toy truck in front of Junior, this work from home lifestyle is a cinch! I too prefer the floor, because office chairs are for cubicles! Screw cubicles! This is fun!"</i><br />
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I can vouch that this propaganda is pure B.S. Sure, I sit on the floor occasionally like these people, but it's because my back is killing me, and I need a change of scene. The visual message these photos convey is far from the truth. *Disclaimer: The type of work that one is performing at home will influence the opinion of the work-from-home experience. Note that working part-time from home or a job that entails working from home but meeting with clients, etc. is not the type of work I'm speaking of here. The type of work I perform is fairly inflexible, meetings are non-stop, and work is performed independently but with a team that is also remote...No eye-to-eye human contact, no change of scene or new experiences, and critical data checks and entry is carried out on several computer programs all day. Ok, got that out of the way...<br />
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In looking at these photos, one gets the sense that the rigid office chair is kicked to the side, spending time with loved ones is on the forefront, and you can multi-task life and work with a beer in hand. Here is what I have learned about working from home:<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The simple act of getting dressed for work gives you a sense of purpose. When you work from home, you throw on the same stinky clothing each day and leave your hair unbrushed. Brushing your teeth might be forgotten too. Ick. Before you know it, you feel like you haven't contributed much good will to yourself or other human beings.</li>
<li>Working from home and spending time with your family is a fallacy. Sure, you are already home when you log off your computer and save countless hours being stuck in commuter traffic, but the fact is that your work is ALWAYS there. Companies with a larger telecommuter population work around the clock--emails, requests and deadlines extend to midnight instead of 5pm. Before you know it, you have hardly spent much time with your loved ones because you are at your work computer between waking and sleeping hours.</li>
<li>Speaking of having loved ones at home while you are working, there is fault in this too. Interruptions abound while you are trying to focus on a given task. Your home life bleeds into your working life. Your spouse flushes the toilet while you are on a conference call. The list is endless and before you know it, you never relax because your brain is constantly in work mode because you cannot literally leave your work at the end of the day. Or, you think about personal tasks and get caught up in what's going on around you and find it difficult to work. Constant tug-of-war.</li>
<li>While one can potentially drink beer, wine, etc. while working, it's not advisable. Two words come to mind: Slippery slope. Drinking on the job at lunch, might turn into every day at lunch, then breakfast, lunch and dinner...and before you know it, your boss is questioning why you have increasingly produced flawed work. (I don't speak from experience here, but I can see how this could take a hold of me.)</li>
<li>Lastly, the largest aspect of working strictly from home is the feeling of solitary confinement. I have to hole myself up in the home office to focus on the minutia of my work. My days last anywhere between 8 - 12 hours in front of a computer. Many days, I don't talk to anyone. I listen in on teleconferences, give a brief 3-minute update, or field a random phone inquiry. After two years of working in this type of environment, I've noticed a silent but increasingly alarming change in myself. My level of patience has decreased. My sense of humor diminishes Mon-Fri. My anger (about many things, some trivial) has increased. I cry incessantly about nothing sometimes, and feel very depressed, which ebbs and flows. Sometimes I'm anxious. Sometimes I have insomnia, and sometimes I want to sleep all day. What the hell is wrong with me?!?</li>
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Suspecting that I need to vary my day more, I remedy the situation by working at a coffee shop (when my schedule allows,) or by joining a group fitness class at the end of the day. These actions help, but do not alleviate. I find that most of the time I go into public, the interaction is minimal and most people keep to themselves. Additionally, there's no way to balance 8-12 hours of solitary time against 1-2 hours of being around others in public. The emotional roller coaster I have been experiencing feels like torture, and I joke with my husband that I liken my work to solitary confinement. He smirks, but inside, I feel this to be true.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJUcI5GVMX36XKliED8HaZw2Eg_bgBcHghG7aGvVlzv4j70bgeCbHWVem0bVOPiamOUcJz1btdAc3bDiRP_5tLEekUM-Il2A3IO985g0m3p29S3XtbOmZsJrmb0dc7YGoGT5ky0Dpoe8/s1600/childabuse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJUcI5GVMX36XKliED8HaZw2Eg_bgBcHghG7aGvVlzv4j70bgeCbHWVem0bVOPiamOUcJz1btdAc3bDiRP_5tLEekUM-Il2A3IO985g0m3p29S3XtbOmZsJrmb0dc7YGoGT5ky0Dpoe8/s320/childabuse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5xaoBflfdyLpIOYIkM7ODxDPV7Kd9R6AgmajGnCD1v7WHimxHb7HjVo1AHc2c2U0Ta84PNcpyOS6nZHBWGPyMLLges72bvKAhyHTnr1D6bgcTGV0KN4AwAMlDrsovnNqfa0HTAk7nQI/s1600/desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5xaoBflfdyLpIOYIkM7ODxDPV7Kd9R6AgmajGnCD1v7WHimxHb7HjVo1AHc2c2U0Ta84PNcpyOS6nZHBWGPyMLLges72bvKAhyHTnr1D6bgcTGV0KN4AwAMlDrsovnNqfa0HTAk7nQI/s320/desk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Is there a difference here?</i></div>
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To amuse myself, I took to researching what solitary confinement does to the brain. Granted, take this with a grain of salt, because the effects of true solitary confinement would be much more severe than working from home solitarily.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukMr8o1Slf3S6sH6NBRHqEao-YuhJhxYxLHQ373o5dwipZWKEBFD4iQxuEsM4IOUAYSuysEql-mks88bIRW1_wdtP6g4aM6eDExRtrAxsGQPk5mKyrNu4zrWLCF5Y1mZd7osI4_mz8y0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-04+at+10.44.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukMr8o1Slf3S6sH6NBRHqEao-YuhJhxYxLHQ373o5dwipZWKEBFD4iQxuEsM4IOUAYSuysEql-mks88bIRW1_wdtP6g4aM6eDExRtrAxsGQPk5mKyrNu4zrWLCF5Y1mZd7osI4_mz8y0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-04+at+10.44.23+PM.png" /></a></div>
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This quote from <a href="http://solitarywatch.com/">solitarywatch.com</a> rings true. We define ourselves by those in our workplace, our circle of friends, and even the strangers we come into contact with. We learn more about ourselves from others than we do from our own self-exploration. Think about every single time you are with someone, your opinions and thoughts are either validated or challenged.</div>
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Scientists have further found through animal and human research that solitary confinement has a causal relationship on the structure of the brain, and in fact may degenerate the brain! When a living creature is confined from others, the body experiences difficulty in regulating stress hormones, leading to a dangerous buildup that causes neurons to die in the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is the part of the brain that makes us most "human." Many released prisoners have reported long-term symptoms of introversion, paranoia, anxiety and depression after release from solitary confinement. It took only a minimum of 3 months of solitary confinement for these adverse effects to kick in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTfh3qSGQzcjf9ZSqdZ01MZmo4m9bM-XqJ2kiDsIvRLvpnlr3xyUbeFvX35lpvdV18H_u4DVephSbXL5lIeqmlJ8f7yhmVFCt9gKKdlP8dJEVmPxrdtBGqizNmhOywHrrESNmEiZDh50/s1600/stan-moody-solitary-confinement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTfh3qSGQzcjf9ZSqdZ01MZmo4m9bM-XqJ2kiDsIvRLvpnlr3xyUbeFvX35lpvdV18H_u4DVephSbXL5lIeqmlJ8f7yhmVFCt9gKKdlP8dJEVmPxrdtBGqizNmhOywHrrESNmEiZDh50/s1600/stan-moody-solitary-confinement.jpg" /></a></div>
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Holy freaking moly! These are symptoms similar to what I've been experiencing over the course of a couple of years (lesser degree of confinement.) Is this a coincidence or am I onto something? </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">An article on <a href="http://braindecoder.com/" target="_blank">braindecoder.com</a> indicates, "<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e;">Although there's no single agreed-upon definition of solitary confinement, the </span><a href="http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40097#.VYrJsBtVjW9" target="_blank">United Nations</a> describes it<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e;"> as any routine where prisoners are held in small cells for at least 22 hours a day under constant video surveillance. The </span>cramped, concrete cells<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e;">, often just 6x10 feet, are constantly illuminated by fluorescent light and contain a bed, sink, toilet, and not much else. Except for prison guards, </span>inmates are intentionally deprived<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e;"> of other people and stimuli, including television, radio, and perhaps no more than a few books."</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Working from home is described as a routine where employees conduct work in their home (of varying sizes, often equal to or larger than 6x10 feet) for at least 8 hours a day under constant email surveillance. The home office is generally set-up according to the the employee's liking, though requires a desk, sink, toilet, and the constant use of a computer, deprived of other stimuli.</b></span></span></div>
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No doubt my research of this subject matter has raised ethical questions with our incarceration practices, (such as the chicken or the egg subject-matter on mental illness vs. the effects of solitary confinement for ex-cons integrating back into society.) Additionally, this research can be lightly compared to lifestyles where people choose--or don't choose--lifestyles that contribute to feelings of loneliness. </div>
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A <a href="http://bbc.com/" target="_blank">bbc.com</a> article reports the ill effects of loneliness, excerpt captured below, in which I further believe our modern lifestyle puts us into the lonely category. Facebook, cell phones, telecommuting...all done alone.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVGZWtYz1CZltRnMGUEtMHv5ww0mGjtSWlaIWkHBMhnR37ybdw3MkxwBqHOFegB6-z9m-hEKjuF8SQlZFevpKAhaisxtFyAfwd9Ri9qMCbn77x_BuCyvkcK6trgOLyilotDvnrsgLVyA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-05+at+12.27.58+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVGZWtYz1CZltRnMGUEtMHv5ww0mGjtSWlaIWkHBMhnR37ybdw3MkxwBqHOFegB6-z9m-hEKjuF8SQlZFevpKAhaisxtFyAfwd9Ri9qMCbn77x_BuCyvkcK6trgOLyilotDvnrsgLVyA/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-10-05+at+12.27.58+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Could it be possible that the increase in mental illness statistics directly correlate with technology's influence to a more solitary lifestyle? Can the new employer telecommuter model actually cause more problems with our emotional health? </div>
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<a href="http://bbc.com/" target="_blank">BBC.com</a> ended their article about solitary confinement with the story of the famous 1968 round-the-world sailing race, and the differing effects of isolation on the sailors, namely Moitessier and Crowhurst: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaSddM1ATcZRX4MWJ6seMAKQo3E0rLakC5pyhx1ahV5FkgTf5MWBlmLmJ5vehgH1NFjr0iMC35xBH9h3dPC5hVzc1OMGFw-XVq68YIqBQAzailiXw-KcWYzSST7kTuFZbtBsTnNZb-6k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-05+at+12.38.17+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaSddM1ATcZRX4MWJ6seMAKQo3E0rLakC5pyhx1ahV5FkgTf5MWBlmLmJ5vehgH1NFjr0iMC35xBH9h3dPC5hVzc1OMGFw-XVq68YIqBQAzailiXw-KcWYzSST7kTuFZbtBsTnNZb-6k/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-10-05+at+12.38.17+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I'd love to hear from others who work from home--what types of internal changes that have occurred (if any) or how to cope with the lack of human contact and stimulus.</span></div>
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<u><span style="color: #666666;">Sources</span></u>:</div>
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<a href="http://solitarywatch.com/2014/08/04/what-solitary-confinement-does-to-the-human-brain/" target="_blank">solitarywatch.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://time.com/3052468/what-28-years-of-solitary-confinement-does-to-the-mind/" target="_blank">time.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.wired.com/2013/07/solitary-confinement-2/" target="_blank">wired.com</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.braindecoder.com/what-solitary-confinement-does-to-the-brain-1228561742.html" target="_blank">braindecoder.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140514-how-extreme-isolation-warps-minds" target="_blank">bbc.com</a></div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-40134759679545740722015-07-22T23:50:00.000-05:002015-09-17T00:02:36.428-05:00Summer Fashion Doldrums<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We have been lucky this summer season in Texas. What is normally 5-6 months of 90-100 degree temperatures has been shortened to 3 months. Now that it's starting to heat up, the idea of wearing clothes in general doesn't sound fun.<br />
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I've always been in favor of the winter season because I love scarves, jackets and layering. My creativity for getting dressed seems to fizzle out in higher the temps. I find summer clothing completely boring! Shorts and tank tops? Same old summer dress? Meh.<br />
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How can I solve the problem of looking chic while staying cool? (Sometimes it's too hot to wear a hat, blazer or even cuff bracelets.) I've put together my own list of jazzy, lightweight items to wear when hot, to make you <i>look</i> hot but not <i>feel</i> hot.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. THE SHEER KIMONO</span></b><br />
Kimonos seem to fall in and out of style each year. I personally think if you buy a classic print and cut, you are always in style no matter what fashion-mongers dictate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUcBwj_yS4pbq-8-cvZUJBlCVGCi0cjZv49ZQ4DqNRI7cd1FVDOYhIWnIaf6VrwAwfJS97qWfiRhf3Zsm-ocbY9GJmbUhfWfs0FwTotviXPRx5FbHx6s99co06gUdNByGuMU4bkIuBxc/s1600/add980e4acd8a70d8a85a24f237ac2cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUcBwj_yS4pbq-8-cvZUJBlCVGCi0cjZv49ZQ4DqNRI7cd1FVDOYhIWnIaf6VrwAwfJS97qWfiRhf3Zsm-ocbY9GJmbUhfWfs0FwTotviXPRx5FbHx6s99co06gUdNByGuMU4bkIuBxc/s320/add980e4acd8a70d8a85a24f237ac2cd.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Leave it to fashion icon Nicole Richie to pick out a classically styled lightweight kimono. The sheerness allows breathability and the length will protect your skin from the sun's harsh rays.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. SCARF AS A SHIRT</span></b><br />
I like to partake in this look when I travel, because lightweight scarves take up the least amount of suitcase space and offer the greatest amount of versatility. When tying a scarf into a shirt, all you have to wear beneath it is a tube top (or go commando). Easy breezy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXr_WKHu-YsLjqhvlBvvZ3RZ49iGdNlSQHdd3TPL0-xglJWORoubEMWeA8A6PoZZg8h8OBGDx7tk6hfSnjfUvMh0o0PTDV0IjmjAJNA4hBkugLF1a1OHAFMbNzR2s9rKTyAwVeM9SCBC8/s1600/knot-herm-s-scarf-21-different-ways.w654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXr_WKHu-YsLjqhvlBvvZ3RZ49iGdNlSQHdd3TPL0-xglJWORoubEMWeA8A6PoZZg8h8OBGDx7tk6hfSnjfUvMh0o0PTDV0IjmjAJNA4hBkugLF1a1OHAFMbNzR2s9rKTyAwVeM9SCBC8/s320/knot-herm-s-scarf-21-different-ways.w654.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-PDEb0hsD7d1E9UyxlD43k2dAkAY_e0lKXSUpNgR8AC0IPRA5Zgzj78Kq7oEWwzZWx8VCeRKeJih1aneJltGUO8iiRtfuNWpC7rZ1FJrLbexnAmpCP5wwLwxkv6fOLNo0pNXfKb8UZA/s1600/HOW-TO%257E1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-PDEb0hsD7d1E9UyxlD43k2dAkAY_e0lKXSUpNgR8AC0IPRA5Zgzj78Kq7oEWwzZWx8VCeRKeJih1aneJltGUO8iiRtfuNWpC7rZ1FJrLbexnAmpCP5wwLwxkv6fOLNo0pNXfKb8UZA/s320/HOW-TO%257E1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnRk2DQ0COV1OJSm-wZkFgd174bLSMWRBt0Q9MLsI2WJ_-rHgmIJ7p5rhnsN4QzJaxN256yK6DQvXye6Yc76lEnDwgOtnXNWAbKPfji1urZ2FmnhnY4qrjC0jGDntLZmGzR2NJIAgavg/s1600/how-to-wear-an-hermes-scarf-as-a-top-dos-nu-fluide-knotting-cards-n%25C2%25B03-card-9-cartes-a-nouer-hermes-playful-time-veryverve.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnRk2DQ0COV1OJSm-wZkFgd174bLSMWRBt0Q9MLsI2WJ_-rHgmIJ7p5rhnsN4QzJaxN256yK6DQvXye6Yc76lEnDwgOtnXNWAbKPfji1urZ2FmnhnY4qrjC0jGDntLZmGzR2NJIAgavg/s320/how-to-wear-an-hermes-scarf-as-a-top-dos-nu-fluide-knotting-cards-n%25C2%25B03-card-9-cartes-a-nouer-hermes-playful-time-veryverve.com.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With so much versatility and color, there is no way to get bored or sweaty with this clothing staple. Photos via <a href="http://veryverve.com/">veryverve.com</a> Hermes knotting cards.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. HAIR BLING</span></b></div>
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Hats can be hot, but hair bling, depending how it is constructed and worn, is relatively cool in hot weather. There are a potpourri of options out there. Find something that works with your current haircut and taste. Don't be afraid to wear something daring.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Uvesr9xIdPVU0tK0Qn3VzmE3wMqIhjhPPJ1UAeJAc3jJQJMVyVK2XNdNt4H4ko_jdF3l-XnY02Ev9uFwtqqC5wI5TSeIdTgQPITSzjRRewxhYj1VX9lnk8XFpKodHrx1ZftQ8Xw7B5w/s1600/hair-accessories-2015-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Uvesr9xIdPVU0tK0Qn3VzmE3wMqIhjhPPJ1UAeJAc3jJQJMVyVK2XNdNt4H4ko_jdF3l-XnY02Ev9uFwtqqC5wI5TSeIdTgQPITSzjRRewxhYj1VX9lnk8XFpKodHrx1ZftQ8Xw7B5w/s400/hair-accessories-2015-12.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7UMce37EiMXOLdNfwTAktyiakBBxrq1tzfdv4rZpyFsGrCN2Z85FhHPsmAW5VR8TXXUnFlpyTQK7DUsQPIZJpSIHlrr8sWnTtyttRv6e6lpMgpowJXLe2sT3r520aCZfEdsXVkjMKxs/s1600/Hair-Accessories-Flower-Ribbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7UMce37EiMXOLdNfwTAktyiakBBxrq1tzfdv4rZpyFsGrCN2Z85FhHPsmAW5VR8TXXUnFlpyTQK7DUsQPIZJpSIHlrr8sWnTtyttRv6e6lpMgpowJXLe2sT3r520aCZfEdsXVkjMKxs/s320/Hair-Accessories-Flower-Ribbon.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Go big, go colorful...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Pp4zkSXBg0RQ8DUNwGKLpfVLiC-BbRAEr0S8bI84J8biTpQrWtFSMdbmUbZCL8biK2odVZVSz0hmEIkNeNxYovfjvNX76JVO-hafebduWIO4rCsnQTnt7MKqZanneVnKWNr12gpbmCE/s1600/6841824049_d188031ae9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Pp4zkSXBg0RQ8DUNwGKLpfVLiC-BbRAEr0S8bI84J8biTpQrWtFSMdbmUbZCL8biK2odVZVSz0hmEIkNeNxYovfjvNX76JVO-hafebduWIO4rCsnQTnt7MKqZanneVnKWNr12gpbmCE/s320/6841824049_d188031ae9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKKFpfArADH8Ow0wNhx-n_0DQYHP6li_CbDH6QxRljevLwtNOzMJnllaiKWwg3nPFm0HciWzKT-au9lnx0mx4wdr7JS8_U6mIZiChFRSktY5uRe7tZ9emk_xkj9rrZdhoYPTrE9VjBN4/s1600/6837122845_fa8450c0d1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKKFpfArADH8Ow0wNhx-n_0DQYHP6li_CbDH6QxRljevLwtNOzMJnllaiKWwg3nPFm0HciWzKT-au9lnx0mx4wdr7JS8_U6mIZiChFRSktY5uRe7tZ9emk_xkj9rrZdhoYPTrE9VjBN4/s320/6837122845_fa8450c0d1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...And go versatile. Hairpieces are not just for hair. Clip them to your tops to transform the look, as shown here by <a href="http://giantdwarfdesign.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Giant Dwarf</a>.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. GET A ROPE!</span></b></div>
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I love the look of rope in many forms on the body, above or below the waist. Needless to say, it is a pretty inexpensive purchase at your local home furnishings or craft store, to make your own adornment. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlm3CyTbsXOCul-0FeMHL5SpAPNfOXlWwHgKQfL0q51rHe9tl-Gh8HcXGG_4dXPS1wvRBpZC-UKHd4tLHClcdcb1yW8Xn6y15IveG7M6U_dHcGBaUVnEuEx35FA8Wbb3ft8hvahbodKM/s1600/ropenecklaces_GlitterWeddings1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlm3CyTbsXOCul-0FeMHL5SpAPNfOXlWwHgKQfL0q51rHe9tl-Gh8HcXGG_4dXPS1wvRBpZC-UKHd4tLHClcdcb1yW8Xn6y15IveG7M6U_dHcGBaUVnEuEx35FA8Wbb3ft8hvahbodKM/s320/ropenecklaces_GlitterWeddings1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxFFQPSy484OdXGHb7UzL3KrKuvu4p2MYORWumXk-whIQsfyO0PBko5TjqwK8-NbbVJnCzoXor-4RGd9GaXSMApSz3J0SoiTs_6DWIFJPaD05qH3yHZdP0Zl2eCk9X4jzhaxSrzrpfh0/s1600/BBDakotaatTOTEMropebeltshortsinpink00198zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxFFQPSy484OdXGHb7UzL3KrKuvu4p2MYORWumXk-whIQsfyO0PBko5TjqwK8-NbbVJnCzoXor-4RGd9GaXSMApSz3J0SoiTs_6DWIFJPaD05qH3yHZdP0Zl2eCk9X4jzhaxSrzrpfh0/s400/BBDakotaatTOTEMropebeltshortsinpink00198zoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjX9zPVoHv2wgvgG-c4Z5VMQzefsAc76v4B5K9FBVPqchpuOu2X3Al4VSeZtWgDOn2tDfaJLR76Ax6qKFBPZO0LG6Pf0gR7IHKY2JOsMmv7y1MdthJdwX9lxU2b5Oin1i_Z-KdYC88xU/s1600/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjX9zPVoHv2wgvgG-c4Z5VMQzefsAc76v4B5K9FBVPqchpuOu2X3Al4VSeZtWgDOn2tDfaJLR76Ax6qKFBPZO0LG6Pf0gR7IHKY2JOsMmv7y1MdthJdwX9lxU2b5Oin1i_Z-KdYC88xU/s320/02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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From head to toe, rope evokes summertime ease. Photos via <a href="http://glitterinc.com/">Glitterinc.com</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest.com</a>, and <a href="http://whollykao.com/">whollykao.com</a>, respectively.</div>
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Share with me any ideas you have run across that are interesting yet cool during hot summer days. </div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-79595479555960660152015-07-03T11:05:00.000-05:002015-07-07T11:50:19.814-05:00Fireworks at the Door<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy Fourth of July all! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjqvdEMaqQTPc98825Jp6f74GMNcTMc75yW0WzSb_I0_LKNuI_1qT2XOfaK2eYZv3PoAtEfZmemgIY3WUzy417_Bibr66ArXYw1tdjHkNljEW0SZtz3Z0qz_flObyyo9qjACtvi4jfV4/s640/blogger-image--1941048875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjqvdEMaqQTPc98825Jp6f74GMNcTMc75yW0WzSb_I0_LKNuI_1qT2XOfaK2eYZv3PoAtEfZmemgIY3WUzy417_Bibr66ArXYw1tdjHkNljEW0SZtz3Z0qz_flObyyo9qjACtvi4jfV4/s640/blogger-image--1941048875.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have another <a href="http://artandfacts.blogspot.com/search/label/Cheapskate%20Tips" target="_blank">Cheapskate Tip</a> that I whipped up last minute...a quick fireworks wreath made with feathers, fabric and any wreath you already own!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQFzeKMOPtdy_XQLk5J7QvP5ts0MFErvaLcLE-rH6RkXlapst8Wgm97AvS4i4F9xSoruE0kkjgT3HaMJDC3RJCOPbf8x4m3jDf6dQoEuTiotuPt29IKoKCYKAexK6CL2qIbjTATUkKiM/s640/blogger-image-270589515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQFzeKMOPtdy_XQLk5J7QvP5ts0MFErvaLcLE-rH6RkXlapst8Wgm97AvS4i4F9xSoruE0kkjgT3HaMJDC3RJCOPbf8x4m3jDf6dQoEuTiotuPt29IKoKCYKAexK6CL2qIbjTATUkKiM/s640/blogger-image-270589515.jpg"></a></div>
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Slide in the feathers. The brighter the better! Red (or blue) is best.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKISXTTybyHlbDdumz8KeuzUG8uRItm_xPBHeZ6mhsythpF_bVaWfU_kkPH9dhYO7JXHmhAZMmh62hXM72PIaV5siIZ7Xz1yic1U1Wh7F905qjNfdUB4hmlBbxv2J88JEtrMwUaIXniGA/s640/blogger-image-1810766418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKISXTTybyHlbDdumz8KeuzUG8uRItm_xPBHeZ6mhsythpF_bVaWfU_kkPH9dhYO7JXHmhAZMmh62hXM72PIaV5siIZ7Xz1yic1U1Wh7F905qjNfdUB4hmlBbxv2J88JEtrMwUaIXniGA/s640/blogger-image-1810766418.jpg"></a></div>
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After you have the feathers secured symmetrically, you are ready to add fabric.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xd3udUFpcqIyx7I-yorIFDGD8GKROyO8bLO4uB8JEV5ToKWybef8wPZjDjYXUKBhmzvJt_L3qpFL33cI5EETJogxKC2WcY6q9-CqoGR5iUzkIzxhYkh97MpoyltjH3JWuINaxvhAAQI/s640/blogger-image--391186515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xd3udUFpcqIyx7I-yorIFDGD8GKROyO8bLO4uB8JEV5ToKWybef8wPZjDjYXUKBhmzvJt_L3qpFL33cI5EETJogxKC2WcY6q9-CqoGR5iUzkIzxhYkh97MpoyltjH3JWuINaxvhAAQI/s640/blogger-image--391186515.jpg"></a></div>
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I had this blue spandex scrap fabric laying around, which made it easy to wrap. Secure with fabric pins.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPGdOu1VqlEg4_uUp74feDogU_JSIpA3_y8uZlshSd1ty1bpOxsgk3L08nvOGBkTO192fi1bnvAAcLjuIYtV5MTMmULQ3JR4xSJoZrNWNKYDWpOLF-El0horJ9yV4PVtwyGYBpui1Eag/s640/blogger-image--462557603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPGdOu1VqlEg4_uUp74feDogU_JSIpA3_y8uZlshSd1ty1bpOxsgk3L08nvOGBkTO192fi1bnvAAcLjuIYtV5MTMmULQ3JR4xSJoZrNWNKYDWpOLF-El0horJ9yV4PVtwyGYBpui1Eag/s640/blogger-image--462557603.jpg"></a></div>
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There was one small area that was a bit of an eyesore so I secured a white silk flower to cover it. I used a white flower to fully represent the red, white, blue color scheme. Any of the materials you use can be colored interchangeably (blue feathers, white fabric, red flower...) It's all about using what you already have laying around!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXVJ49rJWYE-0VU8DmNr_bNPE223b9w6S2DbwaeIfxDe_THwlHVRlQBVYPbEuvmZyJJKsSgUZgDkZx8vUh9IIy-oO5BoJsqFC4xD4-Tb0kK89dh-9TYxPUjbfK3bYp2ZpHFa0asi2GSQ/s640/blogger-image-2134213240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXVJ49rJWYE-0VU8DmNr_bNPE223b9w6S2DbwaeIfxDe_THwlHVRlQBVYPbEuvmZyJJKsSgUZgDkZx8vUh9IIy-oO5BoJsqFC4xD4-Tb0kK89dh-9TYxPUjbfK3bYp2ZpHFa0asi2GSQ/s640/blogger-image-2134213240.jpg"></a></div>
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Fireworks at our door in 5 minutes!</div>
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Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday!</div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-42293166678550135162015-06-04T15:55:00.001-05:002015-07-07T11:15:21.506-05:00Product Placement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Now that we have finally condensed under one household, we are up to our ears in stuff! I tackled some of it by way of donations, other things by way of clever disguise. I was going through a handful of our magazines recently to determine whether it was absolutely *necessary* to keep so many magazines. I wanted to share this clever drawer organization tip that I found in one of the magazines.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg3Y_1bgxNhDHPTbfHWGX0Tl4tsFA3_4yAEI-RhOAy6LrQzAmo9dzDNNlr3gnEWDjsR7v6jkLShALxQF9qUxTd0hXamMsv57aeVDIDBDWd9wnVqP4sZNE4TfusKFm_3ATFc6vLqy8LC0/s640/blogger-image--1288406108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg3Y_1bgxNhDHPTbfHWGX0Tl4tsFA3_4yAEI-RhOAy6LrQzAmo9dzDNNlr3gnEWDjsR7v6jkLShALxQF9qUxTd0hXamMsv57aeVDIDBDWd9wnVqP4sZNE4TfusKFm_3ATFc6vLqy8LC0/s640/blogger-image--1288406108.jpg" /></a></div>
The use of lace and upholstery tacks to buckle in those wild bath products. Brilliant! This is a great <a href="http://artandfacts.blogspot.com/search/label/Cheapskate%20Tips" target="_blank">Cheapskate Tip</a> because it uses materials you have at home to organize your drawers! I just might try this out, but instead with scrap leather or suede strips.<br />
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Another moral to the story...take photos of your favorite magazine articles and blurbs to whittle down on the magazine clutter!<br />
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<i>Photo via Better Homes and Gardens magazine.</i></div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-41070967630583076612015-05-01T13:19:00.000-05:002015-05-20T13:38:07.364-05:00Parting from Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was told that I will never know what it is like to be a mother until I have a child. I was told that realities will always differ from dreams. But no one ever told me what it would feel like to sell a house. Today, we officially closed on our little 1925 stucco home that we have labored and loved for over a decade.<br />
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Before our closing appointment, Hubby and I stopped by to pick up a few remaining belongings. I walked through each room, soaking it all in one last time. One. Last. Time. I touched each wall. Relished in each room's beauty. Felt the pride in all of the work we completed. Pure sadness rushed through me, knowing that we would no longer...<br />
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<li>Hear the wood floors creak and tap beneath our footsteps</li>
<li>Look out toward the street and historic homes from our corner window</li>
<li>Awake as the morning light peeks through the teak bedroom blinds</li>
<li>Cook amazing meals in one of the best kitchens I've ever had</li>
<li>Take hot baths in the extra large original bathtub</li>
<li>Enjoy time with friends and family as they spontaneously stop by</li>
<li>Hear the brass knocker at our door</li>
<li>Fidget with the quirky deadbolt each time we enter the house</li>
<li>Tend to the raised garden bed while the neighbor's dog ran about and barked at us</li>
<li>Run into our wonderful neighbors on the street and talk for hours</li>
<li>Brush against the large rosemary bushes while walking down the sidewalk</li>
<li>Seeing the ornate light fixture casting dancing shadows onto our porch at night</li>
<li>Backing out of the driveway and looking at one of the most unique houses I've seen, proudly calling it home</li>
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I thanked the house. The gratitude was unspeakable, and no words could define what this house has given us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMWVYya58wgeWf3EzAwdLjdfdJUmL8q6q9a6fj_tNBp7yY9_HIp-XQgr5GUvrNawJzc8YajQnGv9M5EUd2zHPhr5TOOIeXKIE52eg1OQwkGUFB7Oza1kkc14LHiFYVrhweY55N82xXpw/s640/blogger-image-130038657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMWVYya58wgeWf3EzAwdLjdfdJUmL8q6q9a6fj_tNBp7yY9_HIp-XQgr5GUvrNawJzc8YajQnGv9M5EUd2zHPhr5TOOIeXKIE52eg1OQwkGUFB7Oza1kkc14LHiFYVrhweY55N82xXpw/s640/blogger-image-130038657.jpg" /></a></div>
This house will not retain those memories. We take memories with us. As tragically depressing it was to say goodbye, I had to assure myself that I'm not leaving everything behind, just the house. The house remains for others to make their memories in. I hope that what now feels like infinite sadness, would eventually become a shining moment of our lives starting out together.<br />
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A great article that sums up the selling blues quite well, <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-farewell-to-a-home-167370" target="_blank">"Saying Farewell to a Home"</a> brought some solace, and the reader comments were comforting. Some folks however, claimed they never overcame the grief of selling their home. I suppose only time will tell for us.<br />
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For now, we have no choice but to move forward, (with what I'm sure will be more home renovations in another house,) and new memories to make.</div>
Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-62359223417261767302015-03-30T20:47:00.001-06:002015-03-30T20:49:13.279-06:00Before & After: Ten Years of DIY Restoration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hubby and I listed our home this week and we are already under contract after 3 calendar days of the listing going live! As I mentioned in my last blog post, I'm so unbelievably morose that we are not enjoying the fruits of our labor. I am completely in love with our home. However, we cannot undo the move we made and have to trudge forward.<br />
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There is nothing better than doing something yourself and seeing it come to fruition. This house is truly better because of the powers of Hubby and I. We learned to work as a team. We overcame stress and frustration during the restoration. We are better problem-solvers. We respect the house for not only its unique design, but for its historical significance--the first owner had it built in 1925 after her Civil War Union Sergeant husband passed away. Yes, it's an old home. Yes, it's small. We love it just the way it is. We desired that the house shine in it's period-correct beauty, attempting to get it to look closer to what it probably used to look like. We can only hope that our prospective buyer will feel the same way about it.<br />
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Here is a compilation of before and after photos of our little Spanish Jewel Box Art Deco home, at time of purchase in 2002 and today in 2015.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxAOYiCxyg2Kpg0_YYuJU1KIHrhnj1KHFf6Z_FiF2ZvDhHIfdzMlxc4LqpYJOIBbcTUFLln5NTHd6R_kWYrSLco2yLkYTWkNz3lCFT87KVGjCPAgl03E1BO1eBh_5snKL-86BWPjbCPE/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxAOYiCxyg2Kpg0_YYuJU1KIHrhnj1KHFf6Z_FiF2ZvDhHIfdzMlxc4LqpYJOIBbcTUFLln5NTHd6R_kWYrSLco2yLkYTWkNz3lCFT87KVGjCPAgl03E1BO1eBh_5snKL-86BWPjbCPE/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBG_Sb6OVPdI_YHWlrNAZtYMSdet85rAk6nM9ST6WwFfzfYfthPZx3GcGmxBVnEU7g3psZk_Is_hfpYZIHGNzdCDar1lvSkZ_XcyqEo9_66qpctNTyE2Nncg2fefAnYFSJ3611LmWBzk/s1600/Slide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBG_Sb6OVPdI_YHWlrNAZtYMSdet85rAk6nM9ST6WwFfzfYfthPZx3GcGmxBVnEU7g3psZk_Is_hfpYZIHGNzdCDar1lvSkZ_XcyqEo9_66qpctNTyE2Nncg2fefAnYFSJ3611LmWBzk/s1600/Slide2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXn4_nxa61nLhbyVB_7GK96T0td0BVosMs1kU-KN533e4W_JzBUgPuJ3Rcn2U1nuTe6hUjDL7ASk-erKaZ-FzN7a34W2J_gkx4WLm3qVsj_LoXwpr374bv5rkKouLiYH2jWU1ZMSUWkbY/s1600/Slide3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXn4_nxa61nLhbyVB_7GK96T0td0BVosMs1kU-KN533e4W_JzBUgPuJ3Rcn2U1nuTe6hUjDL7ASk-erKaZ-FzN7a34W2J_gkx4WLm3qVsj_LoXwpr374bv5rkKouLiYH2jWU1ZMSUWkbY/s1600/Slide3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10EOTOKbnZrgsFWz7Ats4nwEI2gOu9BE8jaVVHS0SQVYJQZbHmeoWgdrLpn1iVc2gUSZg6kk1ygyAKnDdcjDNRbArXS1RGyJJOvLnEe9tS2MTEA2gOm8YuLK9ETLUXxqzYL2FAqSq430/s1600/Slide5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10EOTOKbnZrgsFWz7Ats4nwEI2gOu9BE8jaVVHS0SQVYJQZbHmeoWgdrLpn1iVc2gUSZg6kk1ygyAKnDdcjDNRbArXS1RGyJJOvLnEe9tS2MTEA2gOm8YuLK9ETLUXxqzYL2FAqSq430/s1600/Slide5.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8Xlnwo_QHgDOWYaru1WdziEfbgHm5qcAG5cas9VAs_IAvkmqsEB4H_OF1A3EtSdnApc_J67WugyROdVHhcK4aIW-WpJtuNrL42UvG8lxvwPzhpwmfGC_-0j216b8IPz6Z9oT_d7OWTk/s1600/Slide6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8Xlnwo_QHgDOWYaru1WdziEfbgHm5qcAG5cas9VAs_IAvkmqsEB4H_OF1A3EtSdnApc_J67WugyROdVHhcK4aIW-WpJtuNrL42UvG8lxvwPzhpwmfGC_-0j216b8IPz6Z9oT_d7OWTk/s1600/Slide6.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindWnmktk4yDuucWGPdqhkGV-GYQT7tdtj2UNXh7DDZxK_oMLQeJZeosgdAjbGyltDzLpQJwM6b9fl3NoDU2_zFAoXokYCi_yJfo8DtaPln3qRx1qihNgTQmG-y3DNUC_7yFGyvpOnUzQ/s1600/Slide7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindWnmktk4yDuucWGPdqhkGV-GYQT7tdtj2UNXh7DDZxK_oMLQeJZeosgdAjbGyltDzLpQJwM6b9fl3NoDU2_zFAoXokYCi_yJfo8DtaPln3qRx1qihNgTQmG-y3DNUC_7yFGyvpOnUzQ/s1600/Slide7.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-64752284977323105102015-03-19T21:59:00.001-06:002015-03-30T20:22:30.895-06:00Bittersweet Completion. Labor of Love. Cue the Melancholy Violin Music.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I'm finally following up with you on the progress of our beloved 1925 Moorish/Spanish bungalow. Hubby and I have been knee-deep in completing the painstaking remodeling details and prep work--tedious paintwork here, landscaping there, and simple cleaning up of our possessions--to prepare our home for sale. Our realtor advised getting it on the market this month for best visibility and chance of a sale. Paperwork has been signed last week, but we have not officially listed our home yet. Our realtor already found us a potential buyer--a friend of hers. We showed him around this weekend and he's VERY interested.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbQshRkSb1WtLIpdDQviJcLXxUFj7mT7XlG5U1PUHTk8RFvMngwhe6T3A-6GSN9ZNFKiG7RK4tkwcd13_4qOodlVKexAMK9fICYi32aAhx7CVOFb7VSY_eJEaYYqjtxySVz-FMSZL77Y/s1600/IMG_3610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbQshRkSb1WtLIpdDQviJcLXxUFj7mT7XlG5U1PUHTk8RFvMngwhe6T3A-6GSN9ZNFKiG7RK4tkwcd13_4qOodlVKexAMK9fICYi32aAhx7CVOFb7VSY_eJEaYYqjtxySVz-FMSZL77Y/s1600/IMG_3610.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now that we have met our buyer (which I reluctantly did not want to <u>meet</u> our BUYER,) and we have staged our home for viewers to see our restored home, something happened to us in an instant. We became depressed. </div>
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I was feeling the anxiety a few weeks ago, which I initially thought was related to the stress of getting the house completed within deadline. Last month, I felt excited about getting it on the market. Carrying two mortgages for two years, and giving up almost every weekend for nine years to work on your home is tough. Doesn't do wonders for the social life and tests the marriage bond too. Oddly, the sadness slapped us in a matter of hours of meeting our potential buyer.</div>
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This house has integrated itself as a focal point of our lives for the past decade. Now, we are seeing it as a foreboding death of a loved one. It's the first house Hubby purchased. It's the house that my Hubby was living in when we met. The first house we co-habitated in. The first house we restored, just Hubby and I, for the duration of our relationship. It's our first house as a married couple. In fact, we chose our ceremony spot in front of a salvaged mansion window in the botanical garden, with a similar-looking keyhole opening.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBdGfj6tTwd4MPybHIWVlUCHCjkvGYTpJT75194r01wPJJFsMCKY9CvjXuUSWrcs6DDkF3sHp0A8reO1NFUTMqVU_JHWG5kMbzz9taBv0ldeVAOuvPknlVFmie5Hrz0u13Zc8D1Q5NGM/s1600/DSCN2543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBdGfj6tTwd4MPybHIWVlUCHCjkvGYTpJT75194r01wPJJFsMCKY9CvjXuUSWrcs6DDkF3sHp0A8reO1NFUTMqVU_JHWG5kMbzz9taBv0ldeVAOuvPknlVFmie5Hrz0u13Zc8D1Q5NGM/s1600/DSCN2543.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This house has provided us many terrific memories with friends and family. A house that is one of the most unique and beautiful homes I have ever lived in. A house that we tailored to our interests and tastes. It is a house that is 90 years old, and needed to be restored to its original glamour, which takes time. I never imagined that I would feel this incredible sadness. Hubby has lived in the house longer than I have. I can only imagine how he has been feeling too.</div>
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The "what-ifs" began to eat me up. What if I wouldn't have gone back to my old job 50 miles away? What if my hubby didn't quit his job to land one closer to mine? What if we wouldn't have purchased another home? What if even though we experienced crappy times here, we stuck it out and stayed? I've been beating myself up. Apparently, these feelings are normal for home sellers--especially for those of us who have painfully restored an old home, or have experienced many life milestones within its walls. Hubby and I have consoled ourselves through websites and user comments such as <a href="http://www.oldhouseweb.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=30320" target="_blank">this one</a>, <a href="http://www.brighthub.com/money/home-buying/articles/81497.aspx" target="_blank">this one</a>, and <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-farewell-to-a-home-167370" target="_blank">this one</a>.</div>
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The reality is, we already purchased another home. We spent many weekends moving our possessions into the new home. We changed jobs and will change jobs again. We have moved forward. We moved away two years ago. Decisions have been made. Paperwork has been signed. There is no turning back. My new motto right now is this one:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTt-7EKjuN6O7N-_uf4WStU80b3bpH5gIYgcIp69Lpoboq45QkwxIwSXn1kpsinkqvvagDML97Zkh0to3f8ErBsRuXtkuKJ-7iKbpgbnZ9GinotxTLS119Ny5GVG0nDHRBtmMA8UoXTu0/s1600/136460068741bdc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTt-7EKjuN6O7N-_uf4WStU80b3bpH5gIYgcIp69Lpoboq45QkwxIwSXn1kpsinkqvvagDML97Zkh0to3f8ErBsRuXtkuKJ-7iKbpgbnZ9GinotxTLS119Ny5GVG0nDHRBtmMA8UoXTu0/s1600/136460068741bdc.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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So, in a melancholy mood, I will share with you the bittersweet completion of our home renovations. I wish we could live in it for a while to enjoy the fruits of our labor. However, it is what it is. Hopefully the next person inhabiting it will appreciate it as much as we do. Join me as I take you through a tour of our lovely home.</div>
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Our home was built to have an entry foyer. It is a little room that could be closed off from the rest of the house and used for visiting, or keeping your coatrack and fainting sofa for removing winter wear. The previous homeowner tore out the french doors leading to the living room and its adjacent walls. We added the walls back in to re-create the entry foyer, but made the doorway wider and did not add doors to retain the open feel. Here is how we decorated the entry, as you first walk in the door.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWf014UoqtxdicOJ5OJZr5bIfyzAPtpnvnDD0X063K0mZC0oWMwWsStxUnEcRggF3RIKRYHdyEbk4mlv4mQKa2IdDq50iJkDtYXJoC382vbkwAoEwL-L88SswrXHHlrc_C-sdBiXOHxY/s640/blogger-image--1467374740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWf014UoqtxdicOJ5OJZr5bIfyzAPtpnvnDD0X063K0mZC0oWMwWsStxUnEcRggF3RIKRYHdyEbk4mlv4mQKa2IdDq50iJkDtYXJoC382vbkwAoEwL-L88SswrXHHlrc_C-sdBiXOHxY/s640/blogger-image--1467374740.jpg" /></a></div>
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View into the living room from the entry foyer. You can see here the walls we added back in to create separation between the entry and living room. We also added a wall back in to delineate the living room from the dining room. The previous owner tore that wall down as well, which was way too "open" for a 1920s bungalow. We love allowing openness, but didn't want to see the kitchen from the entryway. If anything needed to be open, it was the kitchen, which we took care of. But more on that later. In general, laying out furniture and designing in an open concept house is not easy either. So, we built the wall with two doorways to allow the feel of openness, but give separation between the living and eating rooms. Having a wall to set a chair or table in front of makes the world of a difference.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_rOM4J1zjM_Oxz9dIoTemFFKfCZem8lZtX0nKeJbYVbfoChKnVyZYc30koEx59d4jmwqIsYDr3OuNqXguU7LWCxqTzNsuOW7Z31l3CvYSDf8PvcVEiFCSO5iw9rrnNddi9OAKAydgeI/s640/blogger-image-402895069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_rOM4J1zjM_Oxz9dIoTemFFKfCZem8lZtX0nKeJbYVbfoChKnVyZYc30koEx59d4jmwqIsYDr3OuNqXguU7LWCxqTzNsuOW7Z31l3CvYSDf8PvcVEiFCSO5iw9rrnNddi9OAKAydgeI/s640/blogger-image-402895069.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now, let's step further into the living room. We were lucky that this house still had the original art deco fireplace. Ground shifts underneath the home caused some cracking at the base of the fireplace, which we repaired. Sadly, many folks tear out original fireplaces because they crack or stain, but all of that is repairable. Having an original fireplace really speaks to the style of the home, and is the focal point of your living space. This fireplace was so cozy on a cold winter's night. </div>
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Now we are entering into the dining room, looking at the kitchen. The bulk of the work we did on our home is the kitchen. It was previously completely walled in, with a kitchen door. It had one small counter and was not designed for modern appliances--lower cabinet doors could not be opened with the stove in front of them. We tore most of the wall out, leaving part of it as a built-in bar, and opened the doorway entry much wider. We re-configured the countertops into a U-shape and tore out the upper cabinets and replaced the upper portion with open stainless shelving. The kitchen looked much bigger without the upper cabinets. Nixing the upper cabinets also allowed for brighter lighting, and we could hang bars on the wall to get kitchen "stuff" off of the counters.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_Bs-M_JR99CbFKlUIAd3PeWj6P42X2_TbUKVPEQxKPpsuPAq_ps5QdDLk4JGO9KVXMTDHr6fK7hn8mKc8JkQbe7xTTAyx25zjUFKXS1Oltp1UmSBjLl8WhILbL4ffznx8089cKWRtlY/s640/blogger-image--1276415171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_Bs-M_JR99CbFKlUIAd3PeWj6P42X2_TbUKVPEQxKPpsuPAq_ps5QdDLk4JGO9KVXMTDHr6fK7hn8mKc8JkQbe7xTTAyx25zjUFKXS1Oltp1UmSBjLl8WhILbL4ffznx8089cKWRtlY/s640/blogger-image--1276415171.jpg" /></a></div>
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Since the kitchen footprint is small, we decided to vault the ceiling of the kitchen--we could add more storage vertically, and the increased space above our heads made it feel much larger. The fir-down with the canned lights you see here was where the original ceiling was. We retained the edging of the original ceiling to add ample lighting, which was another aspect our kitchen was originally missing. We found this killer used window (but practically new), which makes a nice focal point of natural light in our kitchen. When we gutted the kitchen, we made sure that we used materials that are reminiscent of the 1920s/30s era, but with modern amenities. We installed a beadboard backsplash and butcher block countertops. We sought out used stainless appliances. Hubby hand built all of the lower cabinets, but we used Ikea drawer mechanisms inside, as well as an Ikea farmhouse sink and faucet. Our method to decorating is to keep everything period correct. It truly breaks our hearts when we see old homes that have had gorgeous designs and elements ripped out and replaced with trendy, generic fixtures, that later go out of style. The home has no identity nor originality after that point.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJtns8c3D-M_InIB_XiiKFJK9R7J4EpdF-k-kaQYn9L3dnpeclnzwFKIYvX1t6US6NifPIbvGDE1oJzVL59WTzNrXieUUyRHtgdPZwFjBsYJeTy5NL2rqZl4nI37zMa2gtoVemOiVM4o/s640/blogger-image-559009041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJtns8c3D-M_InIB_XiiKFJK9R7J4EpdF-k-kaQYn9L3dnpeclnzwFKIYvX1t6US6NifPIbvGDE1oJzVL59WTzNrXieUUyRHtgdPZwFjBsYJeTy5NL2rqZl4nI37zMa2gtoVemOiVM4o/s640/blogger-image-559009041.jpg" /></a></div>
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We also scored this used built-in refrigerator. Hubby built a pull-out butler's pantry next to it. Both fit perfectly on this wall. Hubby hand-built cabinets above the refrigerator, and the top three cabinets are from Ikea. This entire area gave us tons of storage space. Hubby also made new panels for the refrigerator, so that it matched the cabinetry he made. This is my dream kitchen...at least I was able to enjoy it for a little while. (Sniff, sniff.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4kV0iHLRQ9OHgmzia7l1OemA48zAvzWwYO3Kn4IdNeveGevVcLM2LmK1gOTBDDLsFruSdLcRMPlSOlReqg7LRR01CHafEBBCvzutjHMeEx3xdcyRMUQaFgh7XTHnqB3tGJAusRztUww/s640/blogger-image--1522892030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4kV0iHLRQ9OHgmzia7l1OemA48zAvzWwYO3Kn4IdNeveGevVcLM2LmK1gOTBDDLsFruSdLcRMPlSOlReqg7LRR01CHafEBBCvzutjHMeEx3xdcyRMUQaFgh7XTHnqB3tGJAusRztUww/s640/blogger-image--1522892030.jpg" /></a>Now we look <span style="text-align: left;">from the kitchen into the dining room. When the walls were torn out by the previous owner, the built-in cabinet to the right stuck out like a sore thumb and did not look right. When we added a wall back in, it was amazing how much better it looked. Hubby found an old period-correct chandelier with natural aged patina and replaced the previous ugly brass 1980s chandelier. We linked a dimmer switch to the chandelier and it makes for a cozy space to dine in. We also added the beadboard on the lower half of the wall to mimic the beadboard backsplash we installed in the kitchen.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmw5bmPxwLxpkF3BUf9_DHK3OINvEMZ0g-sVESKEvGldHWe9xtCra-yyBisiZSj0V-pH8Q_2_SezKEjAv95Z2AJqPhwB5ManwBv23KEPAOtqD1f1LSB2nWdY9Ua2uDzcenZqgJX9Qob8/s640/blogger-image--1041634023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmw5bmPxwLxpkF3BUf9_DHK3OINvEMZ0g-sVESKEvGldHWe9xtCra-yyBisiZSj0V-pH8Q_2_SezKEjAv95Z2AJqPhwB5ManwBv23KEPAOtqD1f1LSB2nWdY9Ua2uDzcenZqgJX9Qob8/s640/blogger-image--1041634023.jpg" /></a></div>
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In this photo, we look through the doorway from the dining area back into the living room toward the entry way. We changed out the ugly fan with these fantastic large fans shown here, and added rheostat canned lighting above. The sconces on the wall are original to the house but were painted. They are real brass so we decided to remove them, soak them and brush the paint off, and reinstalled them. Popcorn texture was removed from the ceiling in the living room, and in the rest of the house too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RpBgYHEcB0upaqJuXgu0N59ZNXRY_WoJ1dILyjKR_l4q4oATECS_5ZS4QsI6dFpjmcYxL7gYcAtMbvHn51cOVp9GBfkQ0RHm3-PIlxeFAIGdoE1TuJYAyuateGXi6LrFl1dhYDTbUuU/s640/blogger-image-1914607807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RpBgYHEcB0upaqJuXgu0N59ZNXRY_WoJ1dILyjKR_l4q4oATECS_5ZS4QsI6dFpjmcYxL7gYcAtMbvHn51cOVp9GBfkQ0RHm3-PIlxeFAIGdoE1TuJYAyuateGXi6LrFl1dhYDTbUuU/s640/blogger-image-1914607807.jpg" /></a></div>
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In our main hallway, there were many cracks in the walls from leveling our home. It had a popcorn ceiling and an ugly overhead light. We again used beadboard for the ceiling, which was perfect for covering up the popcorn texture and ugly plywood attic door. Cracks were caulked/patched and hallway was re-painted. All trim surrounding the multitude of doors were re-painted. The previous homeowner seemed to be into 50 shades of white, and none of our trim matched throughout the house. Oh, and see those gorgeous doors? At some point, one of the previous homeowners painted them. There was a beautiful tri-tone oak veneer in the middle! We scraped one of the doors that had paint flaking off of it and discovered what lied beneath. So, we painstakingly had scraped all 8 doors. They match the oak flooring too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzOQfQwwwyubCQABCw79UzDw2lzqDupTUha-KYjGWk75g4iHl13M9aRSz7utPV3TyxYjkwpsuQkNcNWpDEemCCEd_u1pGXQ0KVI2tZ_IvlLuEASqSDZRiCIW2e-Zm3-VtNX3ywjghYVo/s640/blogger-image-262422660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzOQfQwwwyubCQABCw79UzDw2lzqDupTUha-KYjGWk75g4iHl13M9aRSz7utPV3TyxYjkwpsuQkNcNWpDEemCCEd_u1pGXQ0KVI2tZ_IvlLuEASqSDZRiCIW2e-Zm3-VtNX3ywjghYVo/s640/blogger-image-262422660.jpg" /></a></div>
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The attic door was just a plain white painted plywood covering. Hubby reinforced it but it still hung strangely. We installed the beadboard on the door itself, and added a nice latch to allow it to site flush with the rest of the ceiling. The seamless beadboard ceiling really made the hallway pop. This is the first time I have discovered that changing the ceiling of a long hallway will impact the look.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi4VYfBCP5sPPM1vIERZrszWH1OcKMor1D0ptIqnD2CxyT5F8t6qhAxspPc_piiT7c5O0YiYfu6hlwj4OhkS20yPuGrLhCrs-Gk0G5tfM7o5QExBX-fSQnitLT2yqq4rdWG1tK5pEMQ4/s1600/IMG_3612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi4VYfBCP5sPPM1vIERZrszWH1OcKMor1D0ptIqnD2CxyT5F8t6qhAxspPc_piiT7c5O0YiYfu6hlwj4OhkS20yPuGrLhCrs-Gk0G5tfM7o5QExBX-fSQnitLT2yqq4rdWG1tK5pEMQ4/s1600/IMG_3612.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is our intimate little cozy master bedroom. We painted the walls and ceiling a medium flat taupe, repainted the mismatched trim, and installed the same fan that we installed in the living room. We also added canned lighting on rheostat--which was a big deal because there was no other lighting in this room other than the sconces you see here. By the way, the sconces previously there were ugly 1980s tacky fake brass sconces. Hubby had pulled the original sconces from other rooms located in random odd places in the house to replace the ugly sconces in the bedroom. Oh, how I love this little cave.</div>
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Enter into our bathroom. Original floor was still intact and in pretty terrific shape. Bathtub was original...large...deep. Truly nice to take a bath in. Lucky deal. Fixtures were changed out to classic shiny chrome. We also changed out the knobs on the vanity to clear glass. There were so many layers of paint on the trim, windows, vanity, and medicine cabinet that most doors did not shut. The details of the woodwork were hiding under all of that paint. Also, the 50 shades of white was prevalent in the bathroom. I spent my unemployed days with a heat gun and loud music removing about 5 layers of paint off of everything. It took a long time, but I eventually completed it and we re-painted it with a bright coat of paint. The details in the woodwork with only one coat of paint looked so much better, and newer, but everything is original in the bathroom. Hubby replaced the sink and toilet. That was all that was needed. Goes to show that old things need not be ripped out, only revived.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9M_26MtERIN6N2TmclgEMU7s4xVCMkSY4055IB7qrmgVvX-xB2SkyDx1da5E5hyphenhyphengi09sBFAMiQAan3z86XcLJm1QfFM3tIdlMqSJmpZ0UvJOgtA7Mnaw5ziFgYBtCHOhqEqcsoi_glo/s640/blogger-image-1120559867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9M_26MtERIN6N2TmclgEMU7s4xVCMkSY4055IB7qrmgVvX-xB2SkyDx1da5E5hyphenhyphengi09sBFAMiQAan3z86XcLJm1QfFM3tIdlMqSJmpZ0UvJOgtA7Mnaw5ziFgYBtCHOhqEqcsoi_glo/s640/blogger-image-1120559867.jpg" /></a></div>
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Lastly, this is the rear guest bedroom, which the second half in the back was added on sometime around the 70s or 80s by the previous homeowner. When they added on, they created a pseudo-wall kicking out by 1/2 foot or so. Again, it was difficult to decorate in this room because it was almost like two rooms back here...but not. So Hubby and I decided the lengthen the walls out more to create more separation and installed old original craftsman style french doors we salvaged from a friend's office (they are open in this photo.) This way, it could be either two rooms or one room, depending on whether guests stayed over or we needed a home office. We also added beadboard to to this one particular wall to echo the material that we added in other parts of the house, and to hide the ugly transition from stucco to drywall.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII58Rsu0gx-LGoqGksAk34KD5NO3zvS-995Yshi639n3I3miwN5fjVZNCnZwIlL8p1cGEU7WjmIPVCStxfWRdY7YZ8R8bhSLUyj1Dz_aRnE96JWh4DMiqs01IDEEz_2JbIbqlYvUlxN4/s1600/Driveway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII58Rsu0gx-LGoqGksAk34KD5NO3zvS-995Yshi639n3I3miwN5fjVZNCnZwIlL8p1cGEU7WjmIPVCStxfWRdY7YZ8R8bhSLUyj1Dz_aRnE96JWh4DMiqs01IDEEz_2JbIbqlYvUlxN4/s1600/Driveway.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can see the addition of the house from the outside. The rear add-on had been built with Sears siding which was later recalled, and over time, we saw why. That siding turned to pulp, basically, and we began to get water damage. So, Hubby and I had to rip off all of the exterior and all of the sheetrock that had been damaged, and add insulation, new exterior, and new sheetrock. Hubby and I decided to use metal exterior siding, which looked more modern compared to the original stucco exterior. We wanted that contrast between the old house and new addition. We also salvaged a killer corner window to add more natural light into this area. There was a tiny window on that wall before. It is now a bright, happy space.</div>
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Hope you enjoyed the tour of our home, and all of the work that we have done to it. I plan to create a montage of before and after photos, because that is what will make your jaw drop. It did mine. It's funny that when in the midst of rehabbing a home, you forget what it was like before until you travel back in time through photo documentation. It's rewarding. After all of this, we must move forward. Cue the violins.<br />
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<i>All photos via Art and Facts.</i></div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-28947668961051790612015-03-03T23:04:00.000-06:002015-03-19T22:03:02.870-06:00Mishap Remedy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few years ago, our clothes dryer slowly started to eat our clothing. It mysteriously chewed little holes in our knits and delicates. At random, it made brown permanent stains on our more durable clothing, especially on collars.<br />
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Turns out, the drum glides were worn out, causing the dryer drum to sit off balance. Because the drum was off balance, there was a gap at the front of the dryer drum, where our clothes tended to get caught and become marked or shredded from the friction. Hubby fixed the mishap, but it wreaked havoc on a lot of our clothing. Some of the stains eventually disappeared over several years of washing, but other stains remained. The holes are today's reminders of the incident.</div>
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One of the victims of the dryer drum mishap was Hubby's beloved button-down shirt. The collar looked like it fell into poop. Not a good look. He was pretty partial to the shirt and resents the dryer to this day. I told him that I'm up for the challenge of fixing his shirt (somehow) so that he did not have to part with it. He married a <a href="http://artandfacts.blogspot.com/search/label/Cheapskate%20Tips" target="_blank">Cheapskate</a>, after all!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPAeX17fkd78HQ_6Mf3cNEeeuhgDuSVwO3CEnoazhvXeSIm9Wam72VdzPKOXtj7LXdtH2cljoVytc6i9IG_palh-bn4z9pRht0nh6CgQpsk2bCvtT9yXb3WQgSO5mGvwAK23MtkQ5apc/s640/blogger-image--1800864791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPAeX17fkd78HQ_6Mf3cNEeeuhgDuSVwO3CEnoazhvXeSIm9Wam72VdzPKOXtj7LXdtH2cljoVytc6i9IG_palh-bn4z9pRht0nh6CgQpsk2bCvtT9yXb3WQgSO5mGvwAK23MtkQ5apc/s640/blogger-image--1800864791.jpg" /></a></div>
Here's a close-up view of the stain on his collar. I decided to stencil something over the stain to correct this mishap. I used contact paper as my stencil material and drew something Hubby is obsessed with--sailboats. After drawing, I cut the design carefully with an X-acto knife. I peeled off the backing of the contact paper and re-positioned the stencil several times to ensure it adequately covers the stain.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KftsRLouYTWM5uNugky_s3wYrKArtEXV9sT13c45uXLJ4jRWN34n6FrYbfC1XePMyAAi5lnV-Hw0Zr8G-dEQ6HcZW-PBgVSrXWbClV2Dd857NSdUAIZDmQ5euIZhu7_4fsfnL16ZfW8/s640/blogger-image-2126186612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KftsRLouYTWM5uNugky_s3wYrKArtEXV9sT13c45uXLJ4jRWN34n6FrYbfC1XePMyAAi5lnV-Hw0Zr8G-dEQ6HcZW-PBgVSrXWbClV2Dd857NSdUAIZDmQ5euIZhu7_4fsfnL16ZfW8/s640/blogger-image-2126186612.jpg" /></a></div>
Anytime you work on a specific facet of clothing, it's a good idea to back off and look at it once more before beginning work. Allow the shirt hang naturally, to ensure the new "art-dition" (*pun, intended*) hangs at a level view when worn. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTE4gvpL-olNoRfTEooeOUgtSLEDnXYmWCIOrKPzcPD1oRPqrqYo4Fwe8GjIj2Nb_WMw0UVrDAqAjeZWiSePp4JUuyGpo9T-XQUJUlIHO9fO7GoqHjXfODhK6iOf9RYYGbmBgZfpjB758/s640/blogger-image--491316448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTE4gvpL-olNoRfTEooeOUgtSLEDnXYmWCIOrKPzcPD1oRPqrqYo4Fwe8GjIj2Nb_WMw0UVrDAqAjeZWiSePp4JUuyGpo9T-XQUJUlIHO9fO7GoqHjXfODhK6iOf9RYYGbmBgZfpjB758/s640/blogger-image--491316448.jpg" /></a></div>
I used fabric paint and a sponge brush, and lightly dabbed in the negative space of the handmade stencil. Allow to dry, THEN peel off stencil. There were still a few brown marks underneath the boat so I free-handed some ocean waves to masque the stains accordingly.<br />
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Hubby was happy he could keep his shirt and loved the nautical theme. Fix some of your ruined clothing with personalized paintwork. There is a remedy for everything.</div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-11486309159301041492015-02-14T16:42:00.000-06:002015-03-10T23:30:43.354-06:00Happy VD!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I suppose this isn't the type of holiday to abbreviate. But I would say the holiday is quite "infectious"! I know, bad joke.<br />
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However you are celebrating, or if you are not, always keep love in mind. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl6Qr8Bg7_ONKvcsa_u3glA2u_W9Ynrm-0Ai7zNU5jCq0tY6b8nBZhrXA9xR0tMjwhhz1CJqFk-BwI5xNnq77ddV7cTSfbAbhfMA0g9RdgCyZskMS35ujhxCbCgeBuNTVQ5XihcD7e5c/s640/blogger-image-936624169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl6Qr8Bg7_ONKvcsa_u3glA2u_W9Ynrm-0Ai7zNU5jCq0tY6b8nBZhrXA9xR0tMjwhhz1CJqFk-BwI5xNnq77ddV7cTSfbAbhfMA0g9RdgCyZskMS35ujhxCbCgeBuNTVQ5XihcD7e5c/s640/blogger-image-936624169.jpg" /></a></div>
Quickie wreath project: use anything you have laying around the house to make your own love-ly wreath. In this case I used a mini balloon that came with a plant that Hubby gave me for last year's Valentine's Day, a red clip-on bow tie and a gold chair sash. Only took five minutes! </div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-25850942631722956312015-01-01T11:30:00.000-06:002015-03-10T23:39:51.865-06:00OMG 2015!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy New Year everyone!<br />
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The first day of the new year is cold and wet. Our beautiful spring-fed river steams as differences in temperatures collide. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_rWzR2JovsRdmwSWzZbGjjJvP5YnsyQqzaJYKufWz675qL0K5bRY4fgB9VhyXW8O4qNQhxyLFB9NMOn0SnLeZXGEIDdQNhaNTKebFsU5S_8AKP09_3k2gxjlUSRfwb1ZvAQ95CKBwrk/s640/blogger-image--220480493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_rWzR2JovsRdmwSWzZbGjjJvP5YnsyQqzaJYKufWz675qL0K5bRY4fgB9VhyXW8O4qNQhxyLFB9NMOn0SnLeZXGEIDdQNhaNTKebFsU5S_8AKP09_3k2gxjlUSRfwb1ZvAQ95CKBwrk/s640/blogger-image--220480493.jpg" /></a></div>
This view is the perfect setting to reflect. Not only did this year play out in fast forward, but the entire decade flew by. The first thought in my head this morning was not "what will my resolutions be this year?"...it was, "OMG, 2005 was a decade ago!" Now 2005 didn't hold any major significance for me personally, but I remember that year significantly. 2005 may have been positively significant or disastrous for some of you. Nonetheless, 10 years ago feels more like 5 years ago! Do you feel the same way?</div>
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Here non-exhaustive list of five events that occurred in 2005. See if these facts give you that same 'OMG' feeling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTXq-h4Bp5z8qshTuF77rF4lh5xxE3ZkjqsDycsqUO6cCPiUWS1XpHhcUqblk5Dc2RLCdTYZwzPPA5OrDpbEB69USW1RMMycpE5fhStw4VPTnv_NA8iv0N47rXF9NTP5CBZJpUm4rEQM/s1600/gay-marriage-cake-topper-two-couples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTXq-h4Bp5z8qshTuF77rF4lh5xxE3ZkjqsDycsqUO6cCPiUWS1XpHhcUqblk5Dc2RLCdTYZwzPPA5OrDpbEB69USW1RMMycpE5fhStw4VPTnv_NA8iv0N47rXF9NTP5CBZJpUm4rEQM/s1600/gay-marriage-cake-topper-two-couples.jpg" /></a></div>
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1) Canada and Spain become the fourth and fifth countries to to sanction same-sex marriage. [We are now at 10 countries that fully allow + 2 countries where same-sex marriage is legal in some jurisdictions.]*<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEJL5kIRQ2FDHzDH9hW1qJ_V3HKKlirNeHso-4HhwcczX36Gk2OC4V2sq3cJt2aFfoFX8CZ3juyMGXYLbbYiYsB-eCRNHH7IpwVVkI0qgjhqbwzN-Vs4n4BPjQQEkqWOv-YlMSTXu9cY/s1600/YouTube-logo-full_color.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEJL5kIRQ2FDHzDH9hW1qJ_V3HKKlirNeHso-4HhwcczX36Gk2OC4V2sq3cJt2aFfoFX8CZ3juyMGXYLbbYiYsB-eCRNHH7IpwVVkI0qgjhqbwzN-Vs4n4BPjQQEkqWOv-YlMSTXu9cY/s1600/YouTube-logo-full_color.png" height="396" width="640" /></a></div>
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2) YouTube was launched in the United Status on February 15th! [Our lives have been forever changed the past decade.]*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1HJ91D6mkcwREQJtAMdJAj3-RUUrI11ZWboKwvNiEFX8vFkT5QCSSeyKptifzrkUhE-yyUWR8T-5mAik8PUoPB0hpvHj__BzY0i3oR0H9lt4FWDHjtcDt8TvqssdvByjPJUd0Y1rxM0/s1600/lance-armstrong_wenn5777874-857x1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1HJ91D6mkcwREQJtAMdJAj3-RUUrI11ZWboKwvNiEFX8vFkT5QCSSeyKptifzrkUhE-yyUWR8T-5mAik8PUoPB0hpvHj__BzY0i3oR0H9lt4FWDHjtcDt8TvqssdvByjPJUd0Y1rxM0/s1600/lance-armstrong_wenn5777874-857x1280.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a></div>
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3) On July 24th, Lance Armstrong retired after winning his record 7th consecutive Tour de France victory. [If we only knew then what we know now....story of our lives, huh?]*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdBhsIpvEryp9ACXNakWAPUGak01qC9VXDxnSF_vSfZBFmMlnoGFrhc6mO0_vOt_JOpMJUo23GgBT_MF07faqB52vWe1BKJ2WxM8gWJpDqebz513dnT_N4hP1ozxmdBdaNpZDGIT7FsA/s1600/2012-11-01-katrina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdBhsIpvEryp9ACXNakWAPUGak01qC9VXDxnSF_vSfZBFmMlnoGFrhc6mO0_vOt_JOpMJUo23GgBT_MF07faqB52vWe1BKJ2WxM8gWJpDqebz513dnT_N4hP1ozxmdBdaNpZDGIT7FsA/s1600/2012-11-01-katrina.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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4) Hurricane Katrina causes devastation in the Gulf Coast, killing more than 1,836 people and causing about $115 billion in damage. [Today, full recovery has yet to be obtained.]*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xHQ_cyf4slFJ_s7tkLsNy0oEy2Xmlt2bH1ClA5wvtohLzZ_5_HX52wnmKzaBwxGZlR215MZE3rWP5sGRfBmCPeRTN3-MQR4qgx5HLxR-gqX2hhT7RzjBvhobNw1JGLIG7KzSVO2Jkc8/s1600/saddam_hussein_trial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xHQ_cyf4slFJ_s7tkLsNy0oEy2Xmlt2bH1ClA5wvtohLzZ_5_HX52wnmKzaBwxGZlR215MZE3rWP5sGRfBmCPeRTN3-MQR4qgx5HLxR-gqX2hhT7RzjBvhobNw1JGLIG7KzSVO2Jkc8/s1600/saddam_hussein_trial.jpg" height="439" width="640" /></a></div>
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5) On October 19th, Saddam Hussein goes on trial in Baghdad for crimes against humanity. [This year-long trial was a big step for Iraq's judicial system, however, by exposing the crimes of the regime, the trial seemed to intensify sectarian conflict.]*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lLIwzxrztm0O-s5ourGpCKyOJPs6VtjNBN2n4z6IrrhCtfyJ9YPIsemumIb07uVVZUSunPNEWG3B4-lyX3PLFwOKTnFWr-gbrT4B6zPmaggZUL1fvHw6ScYBZaf-3xbwrih97vo0034/s1600/120736-Past-Present-Future.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lLIwzxrztm0O-s5ourGpCKyOJPs6VtjNBN2n4z6IrrhCtfyJ9YPIsemumIb07uVVZUSunPNEWG3B4-lyX3PLFwOKTnFWr-gbrT4B6zPmaggZUL1fvHw6ScYBZaf-3xbwrih97vo0034/s1600/120736-Past-Present-Future.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's important to look back at global historical events (in addition to our own personal histories) to better reflect on our lives moving forward. As a matter of fact, being able to recognize patterns is what gave humans their advantage in the evolutionary process. In this new digital era, <a href="http://bigthink.com/endless-innovation/humans-are-the-worlds-best-pattern-recognition-machines-but-for-how-long" target="_blank">people are now contending against machines.</a> We are also contending against ourselves--we can be our very own enemy sometimes. </div>
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So, instead of seeking out resolutions for 2015, I desire to achieve a delicate balance in my life moving forward: Living in the present <i><u>always</u></i> by quieting my mind from the nostalgia of the past and the unknown anticipation of the future. By looking back to my past only to identify patterns, in effort to continue toward self improvement. Knowing that I can't beat myself up for bad decisions made in the past, but to do my best with their outcome moving forward. Living in the present slows down the clock and prevents those 'OMG-where-did-the-time-fly' moments. I acknowledge this process will not be easy but on a positive note, pattern recognition is ingrained in humanity. We just have to open ourselves up to allow it.</div>
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<i>*Sources: Historyorb.com, Pbs.org, History.com</i></div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-78200495885669045972014-12-21T13:57:00.000-06:002015-03-30T20:14:34.544-06:00MantLESS in Atomic Ranch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After living in an art deco stucco bungalow equipped with a gorgeous fireplace mantle, I am beside myself with the means of decorating our new mid-century home without a fireplace. The mantle is that lovely focal point where large mirrors and paintings lovingly hover over the fire. The mantle is also that central station for holiday greenery, Christmas stockings and funky decor to be displayed.</div>
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Now that we are settled into our mid-century home, I have had to change my mindset in terms of decor. Our furniture has changed from late-1800s Empire to 1950s atomic styling. Our plentiful early 1900 decor collections have been thrown in a box for addressing at another time. Now, we have our vintage holiday decor, with no fireplace to rest upon. </div>
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How does one decorate for the holidays in a home without a mantle? How does the holiday design flourish in an atomic home that is intended to demonstrate minimalism and accentuate thoughtful design? I have used various areas of the home to substitute as mantles for holiday decoration, but I want to hear from other atomic ranch owners.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfKC-Fu24y5Z3CuMChD2DUjjFrWXgGcZNjjlm9p3xp8tDpolyL_UnN07vPBGTAUsP9gNLRVSc-QiUvLkIjAGXc93KPnYHha_lKciKDD-nR7de7-mU-mg0KD99aSgaBvZ4H4Jhh3cz0v8/s640/blogger-image--34438896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfKC-Fu24y5Z3CuMChD2DUjjFrWXgGcZNjjlm9p3xp8tDpolyL_UnN07vPBGTAUsP9gNLRVSc-QiUvLkIjAGXc93KPnYHha_lKciKDD-nR7de7-mU-mg0KD99aSgaBvZ4H4Jhh3cz0v8/s640/blogger-image--34438896.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Steamer Trunk Winterscape</b>: For now, we have moved our vintage 1940s steamer trunk to the mid-century home. We aren't sure if we will keep it in our home but trunks in general are terrific for storage, so it is staying for now. All the same, this steamer trunk is falling victim to displaying our holiday decor. I tried keeping the decor to a minimum, only pulling out holiday items that had the atomic vibe, including items from other parts of the home. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlLM4jG1eLwa2_LxBI0mt8bQCh8gFMCKrfS8UqxjQnjpdezcIx1HZYQQviEVO9KZjTcG8l_A0uWkA7BOklIzEBlyUK59Wez-sHurtE91xVw4JXeuAhebU9RRl3tL_CLYRTB652lOPA1g/s640/blogger-image--1545070760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlLM4jG1eLwa2_LxBI0mt8bQCh8gFMCKrfS8UqxjQnjpdezcIx1HZYQQviEVO9KZjTcG8l_A0uWkA7BOklIzEBlyUK59Wez-sHurtE91xVw4JXeuAhebU9RRl3tL_CLYRTB652lOPA1g/s640/blogger-image--1545070760.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Credenza Santa Festival</b>: This vintage Danish Modern credenza was the biggest monetary splurge for our new home. It hides the television and stereo equipment and provides ample storage. This credenza is pretty much the focal point of the living room, much like a fireplace mantle. Why not use it like a mantle for holiday decor? I dug out all of our vintage and Scandinavian Santas so that they can have a party of a lifetime. The holiday cards we received in the mail were also displayed amongst the gathering. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSWfUAy2thKnfuOTRIbuvdLtjieUCZsqacbTl47nzejYgqul74pBdIAieXC36Z_e5FQqjcJtOCxRQahjWhGRsBT2d8nQU8_IvVy6ryKeFfjT172BhpDYd4iDDVfwyV-cef7uZZVAajaE/s640/blogger-image--1797072941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSWfUAy2thKnfuOTRIbuvdLtjieUCZsqacbTl47nzejYgqul74pBdIAieXC36Z_e5FQqjcJtOCxRQahjWhGRsBT2d8nQU8_IvVy6ryKeFfjT172BhpDYd4iDDVfwyV-cef7uZZVAajaE/s640/blogger-image--1797072941.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Peaceful Entry</b>: Where would the holidays be without a door wreath? As you know, I'm nuts for changing up our holiday wreath between October through January. Our rosemary bushes were out of control so I had bunched and tied a handful of rosemary trimmings to our wreath. The wreath is not illuminated in this photo, but I found <a href="http://www.budgetlighting.com/seasonal-lighting/dew-drop-light-string/battery-operated/battery-operated-dew-drop-light-strings-warm-white-6-ft.html" target="_blank">these tiny LED dewdrop lights</a> that were perfect for wreath illumination. The whole look was offset by a starburst ornament kicked off to the side. The lore associated with rosemary is also perfect for the entryway: It is believed to ward off evil spirits, provide good energy, and purify the air. Rosemary symbolizes love and loyalty and the scent is known to enhance memory and leave a lasting impression. Why wouldn't you want rosemary at your entry to do its magic for you and your guests?<br />
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Our vintage aluminum tree was displayed in the middle of the room this year, so that it could be seen from the walkway. Last year, we displayed it near the sliding glass door, which could hardly be seen unless you were lounging in the courtyard.<br />
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I would love to hear from other mid-century home owners who do not have a mantle. How do you decorate for the holiday season? Where and how do you display your holiday decor?<br />
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!</div>
Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-24578832655962584492014-12-12T21:01:00.000-06:002015-03-08T00:38:43.791-06:00Southern California Speed Vacation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've been starving for a vacation with all of the work and life stresses as of late. Between the ongoing house renovation finances pulling in one direction, and the work unhappiness pulling in the opposite direction, the best one can do is plow forward as best as possible. Hubby was also embroiled in the completion of the house, and our marriage has been strained through these changes. I decided the best I could do is plan a girls trip close, but far away.</div>
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Just so happened that one of my friends was flying into Los Angeles for a work event and I conveniently had another friend, whom I haven't seen in years, residing in L.A. as well. It was a nice time, in between the stressful holidays to escape even just for a little bit of time.</div>
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'Ousted' in Venice Beach. Maybe it was the time of the year, and the fact that we stopped by around sunset on a cool evening, but Venice Beach was initially not a shockingly crazy as I was hoping for. The top memories for me were the plethora of graffiti art objects, even the palm trees, as you can see far left. As a fan of detailed, colorful and/or thought-provoking graffiti and stencil art, I was loving it. My friend and I had a bottle of champagne and walked along the shops. Saw a guy riding the LONGEST long board that I've ever seen. A stranger passed by and yelled at the long boarder, "you must be trying to compensate for something!" Ah, that's the Venice Beach I was looking for!</div>
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After visiting my friend, I met up with some other friends for lunch in Manhattan Beach. I arrived early so I killed time by walking around on the beach and pier. Watching surfers connect with the waves. Entranced. I ducked into a couple of shops and to my surprise, I almost *literally* ran into Vince Vaughn! (I was completely surprised given that earlier in the day I walked for several miles along Melrose Avenue and spotted no one.) Most of the patrons were gawking and pointing him out to their companions in the shop. I went on my merry way, trying not to ogle at him. I'm sure celebrities are sick of it.</div>
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I picked up my other friend who flew to the area for work and we hit the road south. The first night we stayed in Dana Point. To our surprise, a killer holiday event was in progress. The walk down to the harbor was decorated with lights. We picked a random seafood restaurant, Wind and Sea, and sat outside. I drank the best Mai Tai (or two) and we watched numerous boats float by decked out with holiday light decorations. It was such a chill, fun night. I think I caught my maritime bug here!</div>
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We went onward toward San Diego after walking around in killer San Juan Capistrano. The sun was setting as we were driving, so we exited toward Oceanside and parked quickly to walk out on the pier. This little pelican didn't give a damn about the many people walking past. He was on a mission to steal the fisherman's fresh catch. Pictured here is this little gypsy creepily staring at the fisherman (not pictured.)</div>
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The sunset was a story teller. It changed colors many times. At times it was cloudier, and other times it was brighter. Coming from a landlocked area, it was pure heaven to watch the sun slowly descend, with the clouds dancing around it, and the waves singing below. Gosh, I needed this.</div>
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The next night we stayed in La Jolla, and we did a bit of everything. Drank microbrew, shopped, ate and hiked the nice long pathway that runs along the coastline. The whole time I was walking along the coastline with my friend, gawking at the beautiful houses, I thought how lucky these residents are! I suppose the grass is greener, but I thoroughly enjoyed the peaceful expansive views. We also watched the seals sunbathing, cuddling and getting fussy with one another. I could have watched the seals all day. What interesting creatures they are.</div>
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The last night we stayed in San Diego, specifically in Point Loma. This is a view from the point toward San Diego at sunrise. Sailboats mooring close by. The marina was on the other side of the point. I again fell in love with the maritime life, and couldn't wait to tell my husband about my interest in this lifestyle. My husband is itching to sail someday. Someday...<br />
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The Southern Cali Speed Vacation, as I put it, was definitely the swaddling blanket I needed as of late. I felt a resurgence of blood in my body and feeling in my soul. Perhaps the waters' force had something to do with it. Perhaps it was getting away from it all. Or, maybe, it was the change in routine. The best recommendation for a this quick trip, is the connection to animals in their natural environment. I can't stress that enough with today's commercialization of animals. Otherwise, the views don't hurt either! Make a quickie out of Southern California if pressed for time. You won't regret it.<br />
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-24253206565776892232014-11-27T20:09:00.000-06:002014-12-17T20:12:59.230-06:00Happy Holidays--Turkey Slumber<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy Thanksgiving! Pre- or Post-Turkey slumber and all!</div>
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<i>My new favorite vase, courtesy of Anthropologie</i></div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-50731963417721199522014-11-11T14:29:00.001-06:002014-11-11T14:29:20.693-06:00Wreathing Around<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Much of the US has received much colder weather temperatures by now, thanks to Super Typhoon Nuri pushing the arctic air southbound.<br />
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This snuggly weather combined with the looming holidays ahead had me in the mood to decorate. Yet, I'm not mentally prepared to surround our home with all things Christmas. Let's just take each holiday one step at a time, okay?</div>
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As you know from my previous posts, I'm a sucker for <a href="http://artandfacts.blogspot.com/search/label/holidays" target="_blank">door wreaths</a>. I grabbed my basic vine wreath (that I use for every occasion) and wrapped it for warmth with burlap. </div>
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I decided that leaving the frayed end hanging looked pretty neat. To retain my wreath's many looks, I fastened the burlap with a safety pin in the back, as it strong yet impermanent. </div>
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Now, a turkey is needed for this Thanksgiving wreath. I had a piece of this pretty laser-cut card stock from a wedding I attended last year. *I know, I have a hoarding problem!*</div>
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The "lace" portions of the card stock looked like turkey feathers to me. They just need a bit of a re-arrangement. </div>
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Glue together. I used hot glue because of its strength and speediness. </div>
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I left the pointy portions of the paper alone, since I imagined them as turkey legs. I cut a free-handed circle and glued on as the bodice. Sometimes imperfection is best. The button topped off as its head--holes make the eyes. I'm going for abstract here.<br />
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My little pretty turkey needed a beak. I went through my craft supplies and found an orange feather and cut the base of the quill for use of the beak, gluing on of course.<br />
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This little turkey cost me nothing! Zero. Zilch. This wreath didn't cost me a dime. I utilized items I already own and love the challenge of creating something new each season. </div>
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Now, to complete the wreath, I pinned in a cluster of cranberries (that I have had forever) and hung a sweet starburst ornament we bought last year for our mid-century home. Little Miss Turkey found herself a spot too. She was attached with floral wire.</div>
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Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-57660624211899067612014-10-27T00:03:00.000-06:002014-10-31T08:21:22.613-06:00Spooktaculous!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;">Gearing up for Halloween...favorite time of year! Nothing like creatively re-mixing your existing Halloween decorations to look like something different each year! You will see from my previous posts (</span><a href="http://artandfacts.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-wreath-it-is-part-1.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: left;">, </span><a href="http://artandfacts.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-wreath-it-is-part-2.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: left;">, and </span><a href="http://artandfacts.blogspot.com/2013/10/celebrating-death.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: left;">) the Cheapskate methodology. Here's a snapshot of this year's simple spooky ensemble. I haven't had much time to devote to getting too creative, and in times like that, simple is better.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZr0oKL9gQWTEwmaThRP7nZ-j1aKMqwmwxnpm2rOBNucDDJWLkBS6Cd-Y_xXKhJuthEn0aptMnlxcjjXHd2EAxRoyOT9ucxehYfnfV_MGiJYl6x7Ch3-RQYYGdeUzGTFJ5swsaKPkym0/s640/blogger-image--1874827639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZr0oKL9gQWTEwmaThRP7nZ-j1aKMqwmwxnpm2rOBNucDDJWLkBS6Cd-Y_xXKhJuthEn0aptMnlxcjjXHd2EAxRoyOT9ucxehYfnfV_MGiJYl6x7Ch3-RQYYGdeUzGTFJ5swsaKPkym0/s640/blogger-image--1874827639.jpg"></a></div>
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Primate death by branch</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnS9JEwIWR8uHaRi_EGA0Ok_MajD9uqbugUbf4wEpbhsqjhroU-ZhM9AMKC7lal1qnNJ1Nm2mfpHPddc1fsTtx5Igat5Rs8A9PNEy5b1DFITRw5Rdx1g6AZxBpjHz4llVuM8nL1uuJlc/s640/blogger-image--69754280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnS9JEwIWR8uHaRi_EGA0Ok_MajD9uqbugUbf4wEpbhsqjhroU-ZhM9AMKC7lal1qnNJ1Nm2mfpHPddc1fsTtx5Igat5Rs8A9PNEy5b1DFITRw5Rdx1g6AZxBpjHz4llVuM8nL1uuJlc/s640/blogger-image--69754280.jpg"></a></div>
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Sugar skull figures from last year's Dia de los Muertos party, sizing each other up on the dining table</div>
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My favorite skull-arachnid-pirate thingy, waiting for unsuspecting victims at our front porch</div>
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Beautifully whimsical spooky cookie platters at my favorite bakery *yum*</div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-51140739986049174782014-09-29T14:58:00.000-05:002014-10-30T00:17:38.395-06:00The Floods of Current Affairs in Job Hunting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi folks. I've dropped off the radar for some time now. Hubby and I have been extremely busy with buttoning up all of the small and numerous projects on our stucco remodel. I will be posting updates on how that's coming along soon.<br />
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The other underlying facet of my absence has something to do with job misery. Unfortunately, we need jobs to pay for our bills, but it can feel like a penitentiary when you loathe what you do every day, and you hit the glass ceiling years ago. When the situation gets that bad, it can really affect our health, creativity and social lives. I can vouch that I have been head-deep into this "flood" and can't figure out how to get out.<br />
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Most of my free time has been <strike>wasted</strike> allocated to applying for new jobs, or cleaning the house in order to try to clear my head and soul from the icky feeling my job leaves me in at the end of the day. What's worse is the lack of response I receive after sending out my meticulously crafted resumes and cover letters--which, mind you, take hours to complete per job application. Why must we introduce ourselves on paper? Why are we overlooked simply because we cannot seem to sell ourselves in the exact way that the employer is looking for?<br />
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I know the majority of the population feels the same frustration. I ended up writing an applicant cover letter about how I really feel. I can't succumb to this marketplace prostitution any longer!<br />
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Apart from the painful crafting of resumes and letters to tailor to each job, I have on countless occasions logged into a company's website to apply for a position, and they want my social security number off the bat! In fact, they force you to enter it and if you don't...well, you cannot submit your application. One company was seeking it for the <a href="http://www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax/" target="_blank">Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)</a>, which I can bet I'm not part of their target group, so no sense on hiring me! And should I be that hard up to willy-nilly give out my social security number so that big box employer can find out everything about me before they even decide if I'm fit for the job? What kind of nation are we? </div>
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It's been years since I've been on the job market, but something has dramatically shifted. It has shifted toward benefiting the companies and not the people. I cannot tolerate these new requests that put my identity and privacy in jeopardy. I'd love to hear from you on your job application experiences, not only getting through hours of CV and letter crafting, but especially encountering online applications that fall into the gray "unlawful" category.</div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-90194084067069750722014-08-28T21:40:00.000-05:002014-11-11T14:36:30.587-06:00Afternoon Quickie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been hot here in Texas, and I've been finding myself retreating indoors as of late. The house has seen itself rearranged and well cleaned. The internet hours are overused. And Netflix is getting a run for its money. <br />
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After all, summer programming is a bore and I'm always outside during the fall and winter season. So here I am, getting pulled into shows on Netflix that I never thought that I would watch. One of those shows is "The New Girl."<br />
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There's no doubt that Zooey Dachenel has pretty cool throwback style. She brings out her fashion style with her character, Jessica Day, which is part of the fun in watching the show. One episode in particular had me craving this adorable adorned neckline sweater.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQfimpf3GIQlbe5S2lG2d5mXZ-7y6HYU0dY5Ujoius6zMQIimTmPQNBhbK8_oJXyfyfM-9w8J3dOrejIrbJ1IPUYL0FONDDxbX8XsdRFrwilUZn7IHZiNd5bYK-pVxMiuZChFOJ-Emo0/s640/blogger-image--171820738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQfimpf3GIQlbe5S2lG2d5mXZ-7y6HYU0dY5Ujoius6zMQIimTmPQNBhbK8_oJXyfyfM-9w8J3dOrejIrbJ1IPUYL0FONDDxbX8XsdRFrwilUZn7IHZiNd5bYK-pVxMiuZChFOJ-Emo0/s640/blogger-image--171820738.jpg" /></a></div>
Of course there wasn't any possible way I could have THAT sweater. However, when there is a will, there's a way. I could have a VARIATION of THAT sweater....<br />
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I hit pause and began to dig around in my dresser and craft box.</div>
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Basic tee. Yep. </div>
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Jewels. Nah. </div>
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Permanent marker. That might work. It's fast too. </div>
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And so my road to instant gratification began. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnrW-nOSrXUs7DWmU6s4SqgCLXCug-AAKQpNcBAwnZh8-i7LFhknm2lxMNSFD2VWhdqX7Jln4x8TAJWiTJHeZnygIBDn8eZUXOFP3mCPRvKS-Ls3dW0-zqBMkPYBegGdx3iBaIqITt1I/s640/blogger-image-2134371389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnrW-nOSrXUs7DWmU6s4SqgCLXCug-AAKQpNcBAwnZh8-i7LFhknm2lxMNSFD2VWhdqX7Jln4x8TAJWiTJHeZnygIBDn8eZUXOFP3mCPRvKS-Ls3dW0-zqBMkPYBegGdx3iBaIqITt1I/s640/blogger-image-2134371389.jpg" /></a></div>
Marker ink bleeds so it's generally a good idea to use a partition such as a cardboard box or Manila folder. Clip that tee into place. No sliding is allowed when creating with a steady hand. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9jisHFdv5tgycUtjZU3vFHOQFiHF0XHZHP-UFKRcWi1Fx8mbGEyUYD-EuWBLww7QWake8i2MVI20sp-kEcANF80viqVxsLF-NYMEYa-_cS_UDmth9RqCLiGnup-JdkwbkDaZwgZGnkQ/s640/blogger-image-2047117619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9jisHFdv5tgycUtjZU3vFHOQFiHF0XHZHP-UFKRcWi1Fx8mbGEyUYD-EuWBLww7QWake8i2MVI20sp-kEcANF80viqVxsLF-NYMEYa-_cS_UDmth9RqCLiGnup-JdkwbkDaZwgZGnkQ/s640/blogger-image-2047117619.jpg" /></a></div>
I drew the bow on similar to how Jess's sweater was designed. The pointillism technique almost looks like stitching or embroidery. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit45icwd1khBTFlZDbBIs7gZp5rsDIzW79v3c8ZjXaqvhcrBoPsfdJ_eJLtofBXFuqtejtLyWZnwAmiZqOftadZttRvq6AxW-3nfuIgZx2NBMaiKmlxdoZCmGxgpR7MXZLlFnAFCb2bRA/s640/blogger-image-607270130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit45icwd1khBTFlZDbBIs7gZp5rsDIzW79v3c8ZjXaqvhcrBoPsfdJ_eJLtofBXFuqtejtLyWZnwAmiZqOftadZttRvq6AxW-3nfuIgZx2NBMaiKmlxdoZCmGxgpR7MXZLlFnAFCb2bRA/s640/blogger-image-607270130.jpg" /></a></div>
Wham. Bam. Thank you. Ma'm. A cute tee in a quickie. Thank you Netflix. How serendipitous was that?!?</div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-36384481303407134302014-07-23T17:01:00.000-05:002014-07-23T17:01:39.959-05:00Dog Days of Summer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Teachers. We've had them in grade school. But it doesn't stop there. As adults, we continue to meet and connect with others who teach us about ourselves. Growing and learning are mutual. Without teachers, we would be stuck in a non-beneficial pattern. Perhaps you might have several teachers in your life right now, without realizing it.<br />
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Hubby is my teacher. My family members are my teachers. Our friends are my teachers. Even random strangers I have interacted with fleetingly have taught me something. Working from home has been challenging since my human interaction has waned significantly. Computers don't teach. They cause aggravation if anything. At the end of day, sometimes I need to scream.<br />
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However, I have discovered that there is one little living being that I spend the most time with, who is also my teacher...my dog. Each day, she provides to me an intrinsic connection to mother nature during these hot days holed up inside the house. She is my little reminder to live each day to its fullest. She reflects love and devotion. She enforces the sensory aspect of life. She is balanced.<br />
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What my dog has taught me:<br />
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1) Follow your nose and your eyes. Breathe in and truly look at your surroundings each day. </div>
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2) Sunbathe no matter how hot it is! A dose of sun does wonders for the body. </div>
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3) Explore...Always be curious. </div>
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4) Continuously love, no matter how imperfect the object of your affection may be.<br />
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5) Exercise each day. It makes you calmer. </div>
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6) Make time to goof around and play no matter what your age.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvdLMbFfI0EegepOg3jUMV-9i4Aai1cPh98E5gG2ek-1aq6lWMsVkUVLQa9NhwBELisTSbiIabfN86HR4Z2cVWfkUFXx4jHw7aLEacUo4NlLRBjt2tAuIK5CtVyz7jqWo7ONMuZuWtcY/s640/blogger-image-1412057774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvdLMbFfI0EegepOg3jUMV-9i4Aai1cPh98E5gG2ek-1aq6lWMsVkUVLQa9NhwBELisTSbiIabfN86HR4Z2cVWfkUFXx4jHw7aLEacUo4NlLRBjt2tAuIK5CtVyz7jqWo7ONMuZuWtcY/s640/blogger-image-1412057774.jpg" /></a></div>
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7) Equally make time for naps. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLoNmLVQKAvBrAgJd50W_SbyEhLCPbGxDxHCXIpqSlSrxXuWpHt1lAEKWOhKf_DJTKtOKtQ5kI1peWOq1DwRU1u4L58WuJusopXuwRU4oIAzR1QT5y7l-TR3wJ169u98ZR_we99Fau8I/s640/blogger-image--1558366868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLoNmLVQKAvBrAgJd50W_SbyEhLCPbGxDxHCXIpqSlSrxXuWpHt1lAEKWOhKf_DJTKtOKtQ5kI1peWOq1DwRU1u4L58WuJusopXuwRU4oIAzR1QT5y7l-TR3wJ169u98ZR_we99Fau8I/s1600/blogger-image--1558366868.jpg" /></a></div>
8) If you find yourself near negative or unstable people/environments, just leave.<br />
9) Remain devoted to your pack, but seek some time alone when needed.<br />
10) Enjoy food as if it were your last meal. Do this every day.<br />
11) Make new friends, always.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34k7RFE10rqzC0NugobIbvhdoyC6xwRW3l_zrU3ZklHnQeAhK7QTwbB1B6Khn6xcVe9MXy7jSOWbEfQsV13o7iIeS5puSaovD7mNAkAjmSJoDgOw0mLC4hcSfxbIe5zt1oxnnFHyglWs/s640/blogger-image--460695604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34k7RFE10rqzC0NugobIbvhdoyC6xwRW3l_zrU3ZklHnQeAhK7QTwbB1B6Khn6xcVe9MXy7jSOWbEfQsV13o7iIeS5puSaovD7mNAkAjmSJoDgOw0mLC4hcSfxbIe5zt1oxnnFHyglWs/s640/blogger-image--460695604.jpg" /></a></div>
12) Cuddle with your favorite person.<br />
13) Be you, and only you. </div>
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14) Enjoy where you are and who you are with at this very moment. It could all change someday. </div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-1767331351192141162014-06-26T00:13:00.003-05:002014-06-26T00:13:49.008-05:00The Summertime Pedi 'Cure'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It's summertime which means that it's that time to shake things up a bit! Break out the shorts. Throw on the tank tops. Paint those toenails some crazy color!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOttkZ9KTaNY_D-9WdzBr2OmgQpSQMFu36LSRHrFkCKgrh4UMRKVPL1Beu40TZlzEkSxy4F935rpjR5JWgjBZmgIc7GPC0a2bAd910azOApXlL8EhqZdMzajoB_V_b6_2h7VZRFaseyQ/s640/blogger-image-498035896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOttkZ9KTaNY_D-9WdzBr2OmgQpSQMFu36LSRHrFkCKgrh4UMRKVPL1Beu40TZlzEkSxy4F935rpjR5JWgjBZmgIc7GPC0a2bAd910azOApXlL8EhqZdMzajoB_V_b6_2h7VZRFaseyQ/s640/blogger-image-498035896.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Over the years, I've collected some offbeat nail colors that were marked on clearance in the beauty store. Yet, I've always resorted to the classic red or intense mauve during the bare-all season. Not any more. This summer I will try something different. The (pedi) cure for summertime blues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I thought back to my family descent when I saw the yellow and blue polish bottles in my drawer. That's when the idea was born. I cut small strips of Scotch tape to create the flag design and the rest is history.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The tools are readily available in your home...tape, toothpicks, paintbrushes, glue...play to your heart's content! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXXIWe4xQEefTS7TnbSwQH6ptcHPaBdSygeJJscv03AwW4eTEDk-J8PPTLDFLBRrcClsCRFn83wybJQ0-Obqi7pLF3zvDNtxHSR4a78RUNCwWp4KZ0v9RiV-kXdW_sstdju07GtKpCz8/s640/blogger-image--908705445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXXIWe4xQEefTS7TnbSwQH6ptcHPaBdSygeJJscv03AwW4eTEDk-J8PPTLDFLBRrcClsCRFn83wybJQ0-Obqi7pLF3zvDNtxHSR4a78RUNCwWp4KZ0v9RiV-kXdW_sstdju07GtKpCz8/s640/blogger-image--908705445.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I became inspired to see what others are doing in the broader world with their toes. (Hubby caught me searching for pedicures and was convinced I have a foot fetish!) I assure you that this post is merely an homage to bringing out the inner artist in you. Starting with 10 tiny blank canvases is the first step. No pun intended! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5CAa3h5P7PPiY3w5m4P94bHMmPrw2Feaf3pt4Y-VxMs7UQiJslP0IcAKtpsre5xot6p1E6E4Qncwv1TcH5xb4a55HaH7HAHbG_G5KpV-MtV9sD3TApoeXFPvUI2JruKUx2TPPz6eM2E/s1600/easy-pedicure-design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5CAa3h5P7PPiY3w5m4P94bHMmPrw2Feaf3pt4Y-VxMs7UQiJslP0IcAKtpsre5xot6p1E6E4Qncwv1TcH5xb4a55HaH7HAHbG_G5KpV-MtV9sD3TApoeXFPvUI2JruKUx2TPPz6eM2E/s1600/easy-pedicure-design.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh8Q0K_NHsbFXtpi9qWWIjdDrOViooyQFY6chFwsV8PJQTz_Cv7Bk-g0zTyBxTzbfYG5gmbPb1XbDZ18SGeoAl1eBTo7FcVXUyXD-6eo0jkD9SK5gDpYQX0CLeJFqcecl8y597g0tQsg/s1600/floral-peducure-design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh8Q0K_NHsbFXtpi9qWWIjdDrOViooyQFY6chFwsV8PJQTz_Cv7Bk-g0zTyBxTzbfYG5gmbPb1XbDZ18SGeoAl1eBTo7FcVXUyXD-6eo0jkD9SK5gDpYQX0CLeJFqcecl8y597g0tQsg/s1600/floral-peducure-design.jpg" height="333" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Design style by way of mod stripes and floral via </span><a href="http://glambistro.com/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">glambistro.com</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjMOcRzZ7VLGX1N7TaN7BwDaWtKjniSrEk44qAdSTDvWsFVmqHx1CxUzETKmbc0kFoFRyrVSZrBwrHidV5m2vurpns4o6Sro3-SAyLslY6if0Ti22TqZaPS-PUspUlb2xf0xUOxdJ3ec/s1600/orange+abstract.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjMOcRzZ7VLGX1N7TaN7BwDaWtKjniSrEk44qAdSTDvWsFVmqHx1CxUzETKmbc0kFoFRyrVSZrBwrHidV5m2vurpns4o6Sro3-SAyLslY6if0Ti22TqZaPS-PUspUlb2xf0xUOxdJ3ec/s1600/orange+abstract.jpg" height="196" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDdhNHlGMFZMUppf3OHay6Qm0B_hMFWmDpd3TNHBrqxltT-7YzuQlNQoEdDuQx43kyI_Hn_HvqpmovswIGdSknU15Uy6RsdVXf_U89GxrEoKXtHiDJRwByt79FsaK5RzrVT7tOe1hwBw/s1600/402719_10150622211644711_832324710_9049937_2035560444_n.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDdhNHlGMFZMUppf3OHay6Qm0B_hMFWmDpd3TNHBrqxltT-7YzuQlNQoEdDuQx43kyI_Hn_HvqpmovswIGdSknU15Uy6RsdVXf_U89GxrEoKXtHiDJRwByt79FsaK5RzrVT7tOe1hwBw/s1600/402719_10150622211644711_832324710_9049937_2035560444_n.JPG" height="146" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Textile simulation with embroidery and Burberry plaid via <a href="http://nailedtothepost.blogspot.com/">nailedtothepost.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzqnpwin0ClixknRijsC50OJX4EFLreVOl5zMtM_RIXrl_r72RU2pt4wmIhjS2HSBwvRqTTQ4MrMJwMF5UfdgyBX7QSviSYrbCTy9sBTKAoyDv6rqhyrR0IV54GUiDIMLOJozv6iLceY/s1600/Blue-Nail-Art-Design-20141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzqnpwin0ClixknRijsC50OJX4EFLreVOl5zMtM_RIXrl_r72RU2pt4wmIhjS2HSBwvRqTTQ4MrMJwMF5UfdgyBX7QSviSYrbCTy9sBTKAoyDv6rqhyrR0IV54GUiDIMLOJozv6iLceY/s1600/Blue-Nail-Art-Design-20141.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzov3FH6KAh8zTETfoDNlQduJa4uujqK1ZrQex6CeKiAK1sh4rcVda0exhO0C3GBVAEGb-qB9ZrBdc_HceN3qwLgM92qBJBZC2wTO4hhb-k64E-TWarftoNYukWdidb2XhNuHDxYjKGUg/s1600/Nail-Art-Design-Pink-Glitter-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzov3FH6KAh8zTETfoDNlQduJa4uujqK1ZrQex6CeKiAK1sh4rcVda0exhO0C3GBVAEGb-qB9ZrBdc_HceN3qwLgM92qBJBZC2wTO4hhb-k64E-TWarftoNYukWdidb2XhNuHDxYjKGUg/s1600/Nail-Art-Design-Pink-Glitter-2014.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Celestial and aurora borealis bling via <a href="http://devashions.com/">devashions.com</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikracK7stctBh9c9w7bo1KdilnI3oFs0p2oDgpe5j-Nl3SwtuwDQR6lm-GLBjP0RvPiZi0BkDABzBRESrK-Xre3MxsgZmQYHUghbTtIOibUG-MMW1dNX2hE5dcmR_bi5z4tcdKnSsFjqk/s1600/cheetah-pedicure-design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikracK7stctBh9c9w7bo1KdilnI3oFs0p2oDgpe5j-Nl3SwtuwDQR6lm-GLBjP0RvPiZi0BkDABzBRESrK-Xre3MxsgZmQYHUghbTtIOibUG-MMW1dNX2hE5dcmR_bi5z4tcdKnSsFjqk/s1600/cheetah-pedicure-design.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRg0kswwsTlwh5OwIz42In5sqFnPwhB9qbEN8uVM5vparW2RwlS15y0Jq2gf_2sF8O8-9cgiJOiAtrnKOfrkdC5WVXzSatbq9ASW7-P_TeK9PD3SPgN_2YjyoSVsOF7uA2cWAnYRdBaY/s1600/pedicure-design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRg0kswwsTlwh5OwIz42In5sqFnPwhB9qbEN8uVM5vparW2RwlS15y0Jq2gf_2sF8O8-9cgiJOiAtrnKOfrkdC5WVXzSatbq9ASW7-P_TeK9PD3SPgN_2YjyoSVsOF7uA2cWAnYRdBaY/s1600/pedicure-design.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Critter loving - cheetahs and ladybugs via <a href="http://glambistro.com/">glambistro.com</a></span></div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-3626367776580077702014-04-29T16:38:00.000-05:002014-05-05T16:41:33.109-05:00Stepping Out of Our Shells<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Warmer weather has indeed moved into the area. There's no stopping summer temperatures now. We had an early start to summer and just returned from our vacation from the beaches of the western Caribbean. My, oh my...how we needed that R and R.</div>
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Don't be a hater ;0)<br />
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Perhaps it's in part to taking the time to sit on the sand and look closely at it's genetic makeup of fine seashells. Perhaps it's the warmer weather getting us outside more often. Seashells have become front in center in my world as of late.<br />
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Here are some small, very simple rituals I performed with seashells this spring season. Take something that is connecting with you this season and do the same. It's nice to slow down when we can.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVz73AkrqrobeOYZy1etvayKnOnCh3z5-oRaSanIDLXqPO-8GPQTi343EJSCpVlDC-g-vB0Xll0Exhv3el_0c41Bs_CvHh4p-80r3mM_u-lvsmpKRFRFmsGmpvz_4rSpZKQrarBzjGM8/s640/blogger-image--1435114814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVz73AkrqrobeOYZy1etvayKnOnCh3z5-oRaSanIDLXqPO-8GPQTi343EJSCpVlDC-g-vB0Xll0Exhv3el_0c41Bs_CvHh4p-80r3mM_u-lvsmpKRFRFmsGmpvz_4rSpZKQrarBzjGM8/s1600/blogger-image--1435114814.jpg" /></a></div>
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Guest bathroom beach dreams in vintage jars</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4WIBsTH46f8Fs2noEW61qlq97p8YcDHY0lj_tMl-xl4NuwG7Mu1rjU0YHRpmw08SPtrmno20P1WZWonfq2lV2BcM_m1qjM3_kDBLmIZMZELD0Yl-Hq9FttCxcEiVuPH80a5I7PpX2ao/s640/blogger-image-878118695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4WIBsTH46f8Fs2noEW61qlq97p8YcDHY0lj_tMl-xl4NuwG7Mu1rjU0YHRpmw08SPtrmno20P1WZWonfq2lV2BcM_m1qjM3_kDBLmIZMZELD0Yl-Hq9FttCxcEiVuPH80a5I7PpX2ao/s640/blogger-image-878118695.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Tillandsia creature nest</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AwOeKTt3EDJ44Oc6H0_PptU_sT_v3XcP6SyjMiEyt1Ba6-wuctHQQryPIoFajvUCeQJFEXpA4bHugD2m40aWBxPUthShvu-lO4ewVSFmg_zkyxW97Qvfzt0OxgZS2DOVPuNsmJzNcE0/s640/blogger-image-2101389387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AwOeKTt3EDJ44Oc6H0_PptU_sT_v3XcP6SyjMiEyt1Ba6-wuctHQQryPIoFajvUCeQJFEXpA4bHugD2m40aWBxPUthShvu-lO4ewVSFmg_zkyxW97Qvfzt0OxgZS2DOVPuNsmJzNcE0/s640/blogger-image-2101389387.jpg" /></a></div>
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Micro-pendant made by nature</div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941336680513809421.post-83939800687540521622014-03-26T13:21:00.000-06:002014-04-04T13:28:04.690-06:00All That Glitters...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was mail stalked by a J. Crew catalog the other day and these killer shoes whispered soft nothings into my ears.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c0oaxapCY-kV5WGhUKMt-s7ZGVZuxLyl-SQ5rKParOlQBZD4zdS5UqOZwJuQEJP3mr2EUSQzEq6tjXJ75IdIcJ9WLyx2ucxjK6WPcko-zFjEReikXrCupWSmqH_Czmt92xybm31iyNM/s640/blogger-image--459220676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c0oaxapCY-kV5WGhUKMt-s7ZGVZuxLyl-SQ5rKParOlQBZD4zdS5UqOZwJuQEJP3mr2EUSQzEq6tjXJ75IdIcJ9WLyx2ucxjK6WPcko-zFjEReikXrCupWSmqH_Czmt92xybm31iyNM/s640/blogger-image--459220676.jpg" /></a></div>
Yowsa! $228 for these? I don't think so. </div>
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Then, about a day later, I was electronically stalked by Anthropologie with these dangling in front of my face. Seriously, I need some sort of retail restraining order!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddiCP515O6lgC5eOWLMD2T5rrxoCbyQXPQT1dM_AP4686pcXXVtTu3oFMMBGKG-T0YphCaK8deOtSvSdSbucCfaQNX3F6ugbNAT1CoVJEz8qCgsLVQ-Vsq-2pGe1ULj8WdaxbQvCYECY/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-03-31+at+11.36.36+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddiCP515O6lgC5eOWLMD2T5rrxoCbyQXPQT1dM_AP4686pcXXVtTu3oFMMBGKG-T0YphCaK8deOtSvSdSbucCfaQNX3F6ugbNAT1CoVJEz8qCgsLVQ-Vsq-2pGe1ULj8WdaxbQvCYECY/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-03-31+at+11.36.36+AM.png" /></a></div>
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Pretty darned slick little kickers! The asking price? Going for $40, marked at 50% off from $80. Meh.</div>
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I have a ton of shoes sitting in my closet. No need to buy more. The more that I justified NOT buying new shoes, I began to realize that I have retained shoes for years that I no longer wear. Why? Well, they were damaged in some form or fashion. I suppose the thrifty side of myself thought that I could repair the shoes somehow.<br />
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The moral of the story? This retail stalking had evolved into another <a href="http://artandfacts.blogspot.com/search/label/Cheapskate%20Tips" target="_blank">Cheapskate Tip</a>!<br />
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I had an old pair of oxford shoes that I probably paid less than $20 for at Payless many moons ago. The material was composed of the worst synthetic elements because the top layer peeled off in small bits each time they were worn. Frustrating, huh? Glitter is course enough to cover up that business!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorm9P1nN4-3rn7Jn4UFCBQMWrgS2zDNc02WwQTTBFjGMxL9ULOKE_8Ei2eQY3LPJm67F8dGpHNjARFORSF_BD64C-LXjpcU_KjVPWFoZQxykXsOkDC-VAbS3zrjevOEd9I6AjQezBhTw/s640/blogger-image-990982715.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorm9P1nN4-3rn7Jn4UFCBQMWrgS2zDNc02WwQTTBFjGMxL9ULOKE_8Ei2eQY3LPJm67F8dGpHNjARFORSF_BD64C-LXjpcU_KjVPWFoZQxykXsOkDC-VAbS3zrjevOEd9I6AjQezBhTw/s640/blogger-image-990982715.jpg" /></a></div>
I taped off the edges with painter's tape so that the Mod Podge wouldn't dribble into the areas I did not want the glitter. Simply brush on glue with a paint brush, dust with glitter, allow to dry. Repeat these steps multiple times until even throughout and heavily glittered. Finish with 1-2 coats of Mod Podge to lock in the glitter and create a final seal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibs8rsmjVFibRqIFB82bvCKFCnA7or12T1A7MxN3F_xaz2PvgdiNDjYN8FKKKHhLDvyJ_obNqgb1gNCCZcovs7K-eGxcbkIw1O7txXD9B8lreJn0ivBFWwophrA89PvlBy0unR-y93JLs/s640/blogger-image--625287456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibs8rsmjVFibRqIFB82bvCKFCnA7or12T1A7MxN3F_xaz2PvgdiNDjYN8FKKKHhLDvyJ_obNqgb1gNCCZcovs7K-eGxcbkIw1O7txXD9B8lreJn0ivBFWwophrA89PvlBy0unR-y93JLs/s640/blogger-image--625287456.jpg" /></a></div>
Cheap shoes glammed up within a couple of days and $2 of supplies I already had on hand! I'm officially addicted.</div>
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I had another pair of shoes that could use a glitter treatment. I wore this pair of heels years ago when I was MoH at my bro and sis-n-laws' wedding. By the end of the night, the heels were ruined due to my heels sinking into the ground while we were taking photos outside. The light-colored silk heels had mud stains that I could not remove. I was so excited to get my glitter on that I forgot to take a photo of these heels to demonstrate what they looked like before. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTzcUWITeVfm3tVKoLPfASDKcogISklJpvJsEnJDWTzSH7bh2FS1QDmUoT4ei4H8Nf6eOlNqMzQKklLM5INBI8_ouQwcYx14g73WLpd_u30Nfg9xSsEZfdeWJm2VOixMq0equlPxr_gA/s640/blogger-image--515788316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTzcUWITeVfm3tVKoLPfASDKcogISklJpvJsEnJDWTzSH7bh2FS1QDmUoT4ei4H8Nf6eOlNqMzQKklLM5INBI8_ouQwcYx14g73WLpd_u30Nfg9xSsEZfdeWJm2VOixMq0equlPxr_gA/s640/blogger-image--515788316.jpg" /></a></div>
Here they are after the glitter treatment! I was happy with the results! The glittered heels match the glittered front strap. Looked like I bought them that way for $200, but I spent nothing!</div>
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Cheers to getting more wear out of our shoes! </div>
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Art and Factshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00957911206616814728noreply@blogger.com0