tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78985546607059930502024-02-06T18:02:49.618-08:00Sharpe CreationsBrenda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630138151248690059noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898554660705993050.post-6128998510499813942014-04-07T22:07:00.001-07:002014-04-07T22:07:41.990-07:00Reclaimed Wood Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm very slowly starting everything back up as I get past the shock of actually finishing my degree and cleaning the house after two years of focusing on the degree. I've done a lot but haven't had time to blog about it. I hope to post pictures of the 2nd wedding dress, the amazing storage bench for the kitchen, and the hundred other projects later.</div>
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Today I will focus on the beginning of the </h2>
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Reclaimed Wood Project. </h2>
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I love Pinterest, who doesn't?! Thanks to Pinterest, the fire pit has been viewed almost 600,000 times. That blows my mind. Some of my favorite pins are the pallet wood furniture photos. What's not to like? Free wood, kept out of the landfill, turned into rustic and functional home furnishings. </div>
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I have a neighbor who runs a toy business, www.toontoy.com, who let me have all the pallets I wanted. After a few days of constant hammering at pallets earning nothing but a sore arm, I had a friend weld together a pallet pry-bar. A good pallet could be torn apart in 20 minutes, the bad ones needed a saw. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Most pallets have four 2X4's and twelve 1X4's. I took apart at least 25 pallets. </span></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">That should be over 400 pieces of wood. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">NOT!</span></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I was able to salvage about 100 usable pieces of wood.</span> </h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Only 1/4 of the pallets were suitable for projects. <br />The rest either broke as they were pried apart or the nails wouldn't come out. The non-painted pieces will end up in the fire pit over the next SEVERAL summers and the painted ones won't. <br />This pile is much smaller than it was. I only say this so you know what you are getting into if you undertake a similar project.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I took a few days off for spring break with my daughter and put together a few things. The bench is for a patio area I put in last Fall, the table will go in the back yard with the bench. The boxes and the shutters will be finished and sold at a craft fair my employer organizes for their employees twice a year. I LOVE MY JOB!</span></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I decided to finish one of the boxes as naturally as possible. No stain or finish, just reclaimed fence posts turned into a box, wrapped with jute bailing twine finished with two herring bone braided handles. It is beautifully rustic. </span></div>
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I love it and hope others will too.</div>
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Brenda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630138151248690059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898554660705993050.post-80511197459348570882014-01-24T21:14:00.001-08:002014-01-24T21:14:32.644-08:00Witch Costumes*Note to readers* I started this post 2 years ago. I am publishing it today to get it out there. I might come back and finish it or I may just move on....<br />
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We were given two tickets to the last Harry Potter movie for opening day. Of course we HAAAAD to dress up. <br />
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I spent the most time on the vest, maybe 6 hours. I wanted to keep the cost to nothing so I used fabric I had on hand. If I had the time and means I would have done the green, crushed velvet hat and robe Professor McGonongall wears.<br />
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Brenda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630138151248690059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898554660705993050.post-27015694204893968072014-01-24T21:11:00.001-08:002014-01-24T21:11:50.936-08:00Bean CagesContinuing with the re-use of political signs . . . <br />
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I needed bean cages. I took the wire stakes from the political signs and turned them into spider webs!<br />
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We have very little means and I've already spent too much making my garden this year. I told myself that I wan't going to spend another penny on the garden and anything I needed now had to be created by us. The wire stakes weren't much help as they are so I needed to do some sort of net thing, but it needed to be fancier than just string them together.<br />
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I've made a few dream catchers in my day and knew that would make some pretty fancy bean cages. I took a spool of kite string and went to work. <br />
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The garden should be a lot more mature now but I had a rabbit that kept every tasty plant mowed down until about two weeks ago. I have had to re-plant most of it. What happened to the giant french lop bunny? Well after weeks and weeks of building and re-building his enclosure; feeding him every scrap of vegetable matter in my kitchen; and sacrificing my first garden at my new home to Severus Snape Rabbit . . . It all proved too much for him. He is now happily destroying God's vegetable garden in the sky.<br />
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Brenda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630138151248690059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898554660705993050.post-12286487075811427452011-08-04T22:14:00.000-07:002011-08-04T22:14:44.934-07:00The Aprons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGKVmdkGYtwp8qqtgvXA5-65GcCOOoPBWfNtkvEdXDi9T2PjRWEfynrXdwQ2ANbWYM7xJLkO8nccvVFtEBteobAXkKXNyApEgqUrOQFr9VaHt6t1XH8YB4elfIGnRbeNd8x5bifPu0ig/s1600/Apron+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGKVmdkGYtwp8qqtgvXA5-65GcCOOoPBWfNtkvEdXDi9T2PjRWEfynrXdwQ2ANbWYM7xJLkO8nccvVFtEBteobAXkKXNyApEgqUrOQFr9VaHt6t1XH8YB4elfIGnRbeNd8x5bifPu0ig/s320/Apron+18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
These were another gift from mom. She bought the pattern from a cute, little mom-and-pop quilt shop somewhere and the fabric to match. <br />
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I hope to sell them all on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/brendasharpe?ref=pr_shop_more">http://www.etsy.com/shop/brendasharpe?ref=pr_shop_more</a> or I'll give them as gifts this Christmas and for birthday's next year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGVKb8VqTDCAuE_Yk1JJyN_PVFAW_o6NnZmbnm-TjARrOiomhloy-cmOy7_BHVn28ljCQlyfXSXLk-DbVtbGvj43inc1_-AnPjUr37GDGfkPrQ4sbhJmKwDGXQ_jwRdVp8kM9S9TjH8c/s1600/Apron+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGVKb8VqTDCAuE_Yk1JJyN_PVFAW_o6NnZmbnm-TjARrOiomhloy-cmOy7_BHVn28ljCQlyfXSXLk-DbVtbGvj43inc1_-AnPjUr37GDGfkPrQ4sbhJmKwDGXQ_jwRdVp8kM9S9TjH8c/s320/Apron+21.jpg" width="301" /></a>Brenda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630138151248690059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898554660705993050.post-81442139988970541442011-06-25T10:08:00.000-07:002011-06-25T10:08:40.562-07:00Serenity's First Sewing Lesson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgnBNZhjJbznqsVVagFqlJnoYz49BmJpvH8WaZ90a37K_MwSmvCYV3VFiBr1FBJcne-fsTGEqkXckm69eVf62ptSPQnHB4kpWK2e48rLNys_cKMuEJdw9WJQPsTQh2HA08GvWplMgL8M/s1600/Serenity+sewing+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgnBNZhjJbznqsVVagFqlJnoYz49BmJpvH8WaZ90a37K_MwSmvCYV3VFiBr1FBJcne-fsTGEqkXckm69eVf62ptSPQnHB4kpWK2e48rLNys_cKMuEJdw9WJQPsTQh2HA08GvWplMgL8M/s200/Serenity+sewing+2.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My daughter has giant windows in her bedroom. For 10 months now she has been asking, and needing, window coverings. </div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2gaUbqzc4TUCvTTeMxDahO9irb-7NskyPNpOZmE6S8ZNE3VQUYp08Bh8URUL6Aj8Z7NxvrNVfhY1w8gy0PODin29BsNb1Lr3e6WDJWSJX-mOI_s4eUxorTBxnlsYN5Cz34mPTDa3mhk/s1600/Serenity+sewing+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2gaUbqzc4TUCvTTeMxDahO9irb-7NskyPNpOZmE6S8ZNE3VQUYp08Bh8URUL6Aj8Z7NxvrNVfhY1w8gy0PODin29BsNb1Lr3e6WDJWSJX-mOI_s4eUxorTBxnlsYN5Cz34mPTDa3mhk/s320/Serenity+sewing+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
She picked the fabric and did all the work herself.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">There was enough</div><div style="text-align: right;"> fabric left over that </div><div style="text-align: right;">she could make a </div><div style="text-align: right;">matching pillow. </div><br />
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I must say that she was an amazing student. She was very patient with her teacher's anxiety. All I saw were those 11 year-old fingers next to a fast moving needle, yikes! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPi6lYd7d7Quv7BcPZxeYVhlS9ZVs6_XT09ivX-FfGsnuzSWzSUnFrFTbWDTjltvpiXrAILvRH8pbu11mVs2gG12WToJKtUGwrXsHDwKB11CsTXWW3AkDIlgESWCvrkITRVsFf7etAI0s/s1600/Serenity+sewing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPi6lYd7d7Quv7BcPZxeYVhlS9ZVs6_XT09ivX-FfGsnuzSWzSUnFrFTbWDTjltvpiXrAILvRH8pbu11mVs2gG12WToJKtUGwrXsHDwKB11CsTXWW3AkDIlgESWCvrkITRVsFf7etAI0s/s320/Serenity+sewing.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>I will always cherish this day. She is a natural and will go on to make many things now, but I was able to be her teacher just like my mom was my teacher.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Priceless.</span></strong>Brenda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630138151248690059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898554660705993050.post-63649064278521453262011-06-10T21:42:00.000-07:002011-06-25T08:38:23.148-07:00The Wedding Dress<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A dear friend called and asked if I would make her daughter's wedding dress. They paid me, She wanted to pay more, but . . . </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The honor is mine. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I'm only sorry she was stuck with an amateur like me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She deserves a professional.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xXZByacQ9qZa8u_A2q0250LpjcfZ1AXzJ-NKXDed1YFZl6P2qYwBs5cTjGdOpsxgargmEr6-qN3_Qs8hx0c55IyHN6iRZKYusebdUgI9Hb6HETgWuU5lsgJqxxEynR0Ofzizpr6Iulw/s1600/Weddingdress+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xXZByacQ9qZa8u_A2q0250LpjcfZ1AXzJ-NKXDed1YFZl6P2qYwBs5cTjGdOpsxgargmEr6-qN3_Qs8hx0c55IyHN6iRZKYusebdUgI9Hb6HETgWuU5lsgJqxxEynR0Ofzizpr6Iulw/s320/Weddingdress+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They came to my house with a drawing and a dream, literally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In October the bride had a dream of her wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she woke up she sketched the dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few months later she meets the man destined to be hers and I get to make the dress her subconscious designed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxz8rwv-VbB94BLza35XFrgZE2z-_V4oDv2BFLvGqBh5mOzBHS-YvGQ1HN6D6OjoEBPrZBEFAkDy8gWbJ-iSbqSNbmH4wQAIDYSwm2QplMcR59XYq5mtUNF2pqBCguLp0BbmdDcXMxHI/s1600/weddingdress+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxz8rwv-VbB94BLza35XFrgZE2z-_V4oDv2BFLvGqBh5mOzBHS-YvGQ1HN6D6OjoEBPrZBEFAkDy8gWbJ-iSbqSNbmH4wQAIDYSwm2QplMcR59XYq5mtUNF2pqBCguLp0BbmdDcXMxHI/s320/weddingdress+12.jpg" width="168" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The satin is slightly textured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “right side” of the fabric is shiny. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She chose the matt “wrong side”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The folded ribbon was made just for the dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The skirt was a lengthened version of the skirt in the pattern (she wanted the fun, full skirt rather than the A-line of the original drawing).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bodice was pretty much custom made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sleeves (“capped please”) were tricky but I made it work after a couple of tries. The zipper was done 4 times before I had to say “that is the best I can do.”</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkU3sRAf54m440GszvcpYvaGjYCMJd11H0DMbzZXCBGDKstn-_gON_lYDCtuszA6aRlTyBgZxgIi9vir9gcnsFefBjZB-Ck8pDC9gxpuC-NZ2B5EJsg0eB4GBdOcaXR3CHz2maejG370/s1600/weddingdress+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkU3sRAf54m440GszvcpYvaGjYCMJd11H0DMbzZXCBGDKstn-_gON_lYDCtuszA6aRlTyBgZxgIi9vir9gcnsFefBjZB-Ck8pDC9gxpuC-NZ2B5EJsg0eB4GBdOcaXR3CHz2maejG370/s320/weddingdress+9.jpg" width="181" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The simplicity of the dress dictated the sash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a vibrant girl who has chosen a bright, multicolored theme for her wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beautiful blue lace will compliment the yellow converse she will be wearing on her feet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZfGREqvbv-2P1Nl3eF7vlrws8VfMje7ct5Ly3M7GVPrvkO-K4ZqHfE6sGr64DqxjsmMAmm5uJAs5iKCHE18EITbF_zRql4mDx5us5_2EV8onySrK90MTT0uhjjWDdUw9-op1kBjnb0I/s1600/weddingdress+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZfGREqvbv-2P1Nl3eF7vlrws8VfMje7ct5Ly3M7GVPrvkO-K4ZqHfE6sGr64DqxjsmMAmm5uJAs5iKCHE18EITbF_zRql4mDx5us5_2EV8onySrK90MTT0uhjjWDdUw9-op1kBjnb0I/s200/weddingdress+10.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had so much fun making the garter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to make the bow out of the lace but it wouldn’t lay right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made a strip of the lace for color and made the bow out of some pretty ribbon I always have on hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, the theme here was simple, but beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
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Her Bridals were taken recently by a very talented photographer. Her website is <a href="http://www.ashleymcfarlanephotography.blogspot.com/">http://www.ashleymcfarlanephotography.blogspot.com/</a>. As it turns out, her photographer is someone I did sewing for also. She had 3 flower girl dresses made, 2 bridesmaid dresses altered, wedding dress hemmed, and a pair of trousers turned into shorts for the little nephew. She hired a professional to make matching ties for all the men. It was a fun and beautiful wedding. The following photograph was taken by Ashley. I only take credit for sewing the dress. The majesty of the picture is all the bride and photographer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxrBD_TvhZWu7TdKJ7uBOAGCna2FHo-CL85PMbhl4KXEFV_JAwHwMHmlWtPmX981OxoMpD-zBfm3M1azpSkxU_bEJGSw-ftvs6yFNT_GnPvbAgHqbhDGnH4Zo5NlAxqGbD5gc-amtQTM/s1600/Savannah_Bridals+252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxrBD_TvhZWu7TdKJ7uBOAGCna2FHo-CL85PMbhl4KXEFV_JAwHwMHmlWtPmX981OxoMpD-zBfm3M1azpSkxU_bEJGSw-ftvs6yFNT_GnPvbAgHqbhDGnH4Zo5NlAxqGbD5gc-amtQTM/s320/Savannah_Bridals+252.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>If I had it to do over.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would have bought the dress form at the very beginning rather than at the end; it would have helped with the sleeves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully I now have it for future commissions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is a seam down the front of the skirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will forever regret that.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</div>Brenda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630138151248690059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898554660705993050.post-73588697309935356262011-05-14T07:49:00.000-07:002011-05-16T14:40:51.031-07:00The Fire Pit<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIhqNBu7r2lZXtUTIVPg_zWIB-dmoJXneeP88zT-3jA2_DZLCaVavwa1ec0EUA5n4dVVaCbWSvPNDutkf6AjV60OO_yiUQDgkM2csEqXOLiImE9Omf_4LNn5vUv_f-gnM9huL3_O4jh0/s1600/firepit+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIhqNBu7r2lZXtUTIVPg_zWIB-dmoJXneeP88zT-3jA2_DZLCaVavwa1ec0EUA5n4dVVaCbWSvPNDutkf6AjV60OO_yiUQDgkM2csEqXOLiImE9Omf_4LNn5vUv_f-gnM9huL3_O4jh0/s200/firepit+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We bought our home at the beginning of the fall so we had an entire winter to ponder the spring and summer in our back yard. I decided the first priority, and the center piece of our back yard, would be a fire pit for tin foil dinners and just gathering family close. <br />
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Once the ground thawed out I dug the pit and started hauling rocks off the mountain. The rocks all had a layer of dew on them so the colors popped out at you. I picked each rock for its color first, then for its flat face and shape. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitG-N_d3CIv63hjp_oS_-M0EepLYdWem4b1DPKndu-1xwx66R7S-dRR5nUyAi5DuAHdY3RmFBHTSQbqx6pl2XoJUMjtkVAeBIoUTjaXNvztDDQ5PqudcidRY9wymQ2kF2Ldvg7rsDkzKY/s1600/firepit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitG-N_d3CIv63hjp_oS_-M0EepLYdWem4b1DPKndu-1xwx66R7S-dRR5nUyAi5DuAHdY3RmFBHTSQbqx6pl2XoJUMjtkVAeBIoUTjaXNvztDDQ5PqudcidRY9wymQ2kF2Ldvg7rsDkzKY/s320/firepit+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Once the temperatures stayed above freezing at night I poured the based and had everyone put their hands in. I should have done their feet. I know it's hokey, but I'm creating this home for my kids and their kids so the more personal the better. <br />
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After that, any day that it didn't rain I was out gluing stone together for the walls. I had to redo some of the mortor because I either got it too runny or too dry. It really needs to be like peanut butter or it doesn't work. <br />
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The pit only cost me $8.00 to make. I can't calculate the time because I worked on it 15 minutes here, an hour there over the course of 2 months. I didn't want it to look like a $300 fire pit from Home Depot becuase then it looses some of it's home-made, country cottage charm. Wait till you see the porch swing that will go in by it... in a couple of years.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><u>If I could do it again</u></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I would do the stone work in one Saturday using cement rather than mortor.</div>Brenda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630138151248690059noreply@blogger.com75tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898554660705993050.post-62698294231107975532011-03-21T17:01:00.000-07:002011-03-21T17:01:48.627-07:00My Rugs<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Reflections on my mother</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTLvgPOq5PkPvNsiYmeFI0GZGI9Zo1ZJoClKLvXLHDOXXl42P4NMrS4CbirvEOQcneUypdoOZx6fnG-vAyj09j0mSvSqXS0e2kNSExWSiJ0xf5tWVM6P5AaCuDLRo9ZnGTRYQBA1pBJ0/s1600/fabric+store.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTLvgPOq5PkPvNsiYmeFI0GZGI9Zo1ZJoClKLvXLHDOXXl42P4NMrS4CbirvEOQcneUypdoOZx6fnG-vAyj09j0mSvSqXS0e2kNSExWSiJ0xf5tWVM6P5AaCuDLRo9ZnGTRYQBA1pBJ0/s200/fabric+store.bmp" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxuZHXCWIDQHAq2jvo1thUac-B_Opn8GcOGag2Ge5rOj40Gd7gyu1QCiA_Ijp-y0LxlWI_NCkAQxyRhmAhhyoGFKM_WTaLEkmvRYWqBJvqWa-W29DYq8Sm1uaKeTGOrgu-WIE7W4oO8Y/s1600/dog+on+rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My mom loves to go into fabric stores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the big national chains; she likes the little mom and pop shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only drawback is that mom feels she has to buy something every time she visits one of these shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She thinks that by buying something she is saying “thank you” to the owners for their cute shop and to support their business at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only exception is when they have perfumed their shop with candles or oils, then she walks right out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP43pgAEfOA005-YK46opD26CUpXeLXKdVSbaW6N0ZwogF2tTdtPIMIsXGCKD3UFkYlF7TnHQ12arga7P6QTN6I47L_MXy08iJurOm9b31zk_RQConW-VhkZAwptGpKtJCCECVyra4a9o/s1600/rug+1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP43pgAEfOA005-YK46opD26CUpXeLXKdVSbaW6N0ZwogF2tTdtPIMIsXGCKD3UFkYlF7TnHQ12arga7P6QTN6I47L_MXy08iJurOm9b31zk_RQConW-VhkZAwptGpKtJCCECVyra4a9o/s200/rug+1.bmp" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What does all this have to do with rugs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EVERYTHING!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom bought a rug loom at one of these cute little shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were visiting one summer and she asked me to finish up a rug she started (and by started I mean barely started).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read the instruction and had the 18X30” rug done in no time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out pretty cute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxuZHXCWIDQHAq2jvo1thUac-B_Opn8GcOGag2Ge5rOj40Gd7gyu1QCiA_Ijp-y0LxlWI_NCkAQxyRhmAhhyoGFKM_WTaLEkmvRYWqBJvqWa-W29DYq8Sm1uaKeTGOrgu-WIE7W4oO8Y/s1600/dog+on+rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxuZHXCWIDQHAq2jvo1thUac-B_Opn8GcOGag2Ge5rOj40Gd7gyu1QCiA_Ijp-y0LxlWI_NCkAQxyRhmAhhyoGFKM_WTaLEkmvRYWqBJvqWa-W29DYq8Sm1uaKeTGOrgu-WIE7W4oO8Y/s200/dog+on+rug.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is the one I made after we got home and ended up bending the loom so bad that it is pretty much worthless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have the instructions to make a new loom but I found something better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rug is several years old and has been very abused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it is in my laundry room.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDUCe2m8d8DG9VXFQrDuHXtQDcuDdpctcgX3Jo5vyK6B75SANdkCEDhEV_76K9HdAWTSeAyk4A6RzFPUYAy7TkqVvnYYXWYbXXtUlIt44dyXEOmpbOvknadcU6SYoXX3HCGf0_w8eRyY/s1600/sarong+rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDUCe2m8d8DG9VXFQrDuHXtQDcuDdpctcgX3Jo5vyK6B75SANdkCEDhEV_76K9HdAWTSeAyk4A6RzFPUYAy7TkqVvnYYXWYbXXtUlIt44dyXEOmpbOvknadcU6SYoXX3HCGf0_w8eRyY/s200/sarong+rug.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love sarongs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wear them all summer long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love all the colors, patterns and fabrics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wear out after a summer or two but I can’t throw them away!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While looking through my fabric stashes for my next project, I happened upon my collection of sarongs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PERFECT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many great summers made into one rug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to crochet strips of the sarongs together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made a great, thick, floppy rug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m having a hard time finding a home for it in my house, but I love it!! Okay, okay, it wasn’t my favorite rug.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQC9Sltv_xKF7aoe2k0nYuJ6fTPvGLtO3IiAemqVLMvfFjKU2qah91wbAZ8zMdAQUY5JLlWcvx-lCUFnTR5LJUlwMMrelTawIBqrrk9zp6iPrZG9p6_mm1br3PIVZRiyspnVvnHuoUWdI/s1600/dog+on+spot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQC9Sltv_xKF7aoe2k0nYuJ6fTPvGLtO3IiAemqVLMvfFjKU2qah91wbAZ8zMdAQUY5JLlWcvx-lCUFnTR5LJUlwMMrelTawIBqrrk9zp6iPrZG9p6_mm1br3PIVZRiyspnVvnHuoUWdI/s200/dog+on+spot.jpg" width="162" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to commit to braided rugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The country feel appeals to me on so many levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made this large circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has become my dog’s “spot” in front of the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has to sit and stay on that rug anytime there is action at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cute little 40lb puppy thinks everyone comes to see her.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYglRCaPRayRcAdby3YFnLvPbJClkQNAd1HWaUvdAmC6s37BllDWtJes53Q5amMgJ1O3wALt0VNWUQIPNeicUnZZJRFT2VEPvcQxOVMkqTHS70-rJA18uXEgHGBr58JcFBRdvLuwlFF8/s1600/twine+rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYglRCaPRayRcAdby3YFnLvPbJClkQNAd1HWaUvdAmC6s37BllDWtJes53Q5amMgJ1O3wALt0VNWUQIPNeicUnZZJRFT2VEPvcQxOVMkqTHS70-rJA18uXEgHGBr58JcFBRdvLuwlFF8/s200/twine+rug.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When it was done I put it on Etsy to see if anyone would buy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By some miracle a woman from Pennsylvania saw it and asked if I could make one out of baling twine; the stuff they tie bales of hay with (I had to Google it to make sure I knew what she was asking for).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She bought one from the Amish and after 20 years it finally disintegrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I jumped at the chance and charged her $125.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out so amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mat took a good 100 hours to make and my hands were crippled for a couple of weeks but I will make another one or five.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRg0EoFbpUdyoBUL1ESCb30HSP8aW8LOZCdLvnjuXNg8KUHTFC4SoF3e8vvCK2JzJk2NnIQtbvdW5I_O-_nW_ycxIvOlNyGhq3soddJvTHHMMK_RXggIbRL-AD9673WK4oWqum-YWGGA/s1600/Jaymie%2527s+rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 139px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 184px;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRg0EoFbpUdyoBUL1ESCb30HSP8aW8LOZCdLvnjuXNg8KUHTFC4SoF3e8vvCK2JzJk2NnIQtbvdW5I_O-_nW_ycxIvOlNyGhq3soddJvTHHMMK_RXggIbRL-AD9673WK4oWqum-YWGGA/s320/Jaymie%2527s+rug.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I’m writing all this because I just</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> finished my latest rug. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Isn’t it pretty.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTLvgPOq5PkPvNsiYmeFI0GZGI9Zo1ZJoClKLvXLHDOXXl42P4NMrS4CbirvEOQcneUypdoOZx6fnG-vAyj09j0mSvSqXS0e2kNSExWSiJ0xf5tWVM6P5AaCuDLRo9ZnGTRYQBA1pBJ0/s1600/fabric+store.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsUqEaT-HVgzAtG261k05jN9W_6eAF-ttGFu9wL2Vyo-_drV7sdvh_laEox4MOpHya7sXmd8ZSFJ4OVQ6dlj6Ua1EUri-U0bEhdweGWTlLJlIABjSgJQysjrqUiMrLX6ydzBGayn7-ko/s1600/rug+spot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Brenda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630138151248690059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898554660705993050.post-75960888300076591932011-02-28T15:34:00.000-08:002011-02-28T15:34:22.475-08:00What Started it All<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGf8nz2ycLUgjuX-mARYLS01A2niRDfeLB4dN3onVganmoryYu6nHHqk6q_fixuYzd2oekJjgLIi9UcJQ3DWuQTeYhlgJas0j6emBodlDphA782S3zE6SwUA5Imuh8rXJ8VMOGPWZHu74/s1600/P1000148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGf8nz2ycLUgjuX-mARYLS01A2niRDfeLB4dN3onVganmoryYu6nHHqk6q_fixuYzd2oekJjgLIi9UcJQ3DWuQTeYhlgJas0j6emBodlDphA782S3zE6SwUA5Imuh8rXJ8VMOGPWZHu74/s320/P1000148.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My obsession with making stuff started when I was a kid. I was that odd child walking around the playground with the skein of yarn under my arm knitting a rope with my fingers. That, or I was running around with a gang of boys as their secret pinching weapon. It was my nimble fingers. <br />
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The above picture is a temari ball. I learned how to make these just after I got married. We were young and didn't have a bed so we slept on an air matress. Well, in the process of making a Japanese thread ball I use a lot of pins. I mistook the bed for a pincussion. After blowing the mattress up every night for the next 3 months we finally got a bed.<br />
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The more amazing temari balls have been given as gifts . . . before I cared to take pictures.<br />
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I'm in the practice and research phase of my bloggin development. I have found some really great blogs to follow along the way. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSsunqCUUFBDtzB3dpLZBaJiqqMxdWOzKlUQP-GPHpBk1cticYg7XxxLHSOypYbX2MWFPOirIdMoZ_YHuRDbE_GWxzvtI_ZPSmA-zTF4Ey8QgctpOUpisRcjAsqzcBXguer1J-_sq34k/s1600/P1000172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSsunqCUUFBDtzB3dpLZBaJiqqMxdWOzKlUQP-GPHpBk1cticYg7XxxLHSOypYbX2MWFPOirIdMoZ_YHuRDbE_GWxzvtI_ZPSmA-zTF4Ey8QgctpOUpisRcjAsqzcBXguer1J-_sq34k/s320/P1000172.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>Brenda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630138151248690059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898554660705993050.post-37344227273812651942011-02-17T12:50:00.000-08:002011-02-17T12:50:06.952-08:00Why Start a Blog?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3KzC9RI0oPexbqFsfJXPOQwliKFoPmdgtWX4pdYY_JkKN4a7lQ5qGuUAqTab_Ubww1pfgd2Nv4ff5OhE_rSp0ZA8YKUBZvY2u-xsfBbVFTq0bh4nt0PH5pa63Lm0IZArX0phZAA4T0Q/s1600/DOG+HOUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3KzC9RI0oPexbqFsfJXPOQwliKFoPmdgtWX4pdYY_JkKN4a7lQ5qGuUAqTab_Ubww1pfgd2Nv4ff5OhE_rSp0ZA8YKUBZvY2u-xsfBbVFTq0bh4nt0PH5pa63Lm0IZArX0phZAA4T0Q/s320/DOG+HOUSE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I've been looking for a way to show the world all the fun stuff I can do. I hope to get some commissions, a book deal and maybe my own TV show. Bring on the offers! This was a dog house I made for our giant french lop rabbit Severus. It is made from 100% reclaimed materials. 2X4s from the swing set we tore down when we moved in, 15 political signs from the campaign I worked on last year and "oops" paint I bought. The paint I've used on lots of projects now. Brenda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630138151248690059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7898554660705993050.post-90253651950061854032011-02-15T11:30:00.000-08:002011-02-15T11:30:03.426-08:00Day one, post 1New adventure! Stay tuned for the most interesting content EVER!Brenda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09630138151248690059noreply@blogger.com0