tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26348430032941053182024-03-13T13:35:09.725-05:00The Teacup CottageThe Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.comBlogger212125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-79987629161052368392015-02-23T12:00:00.000-06:002015-02-23T12:18:05.044-06:00Quick and Easy Decorative Tray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Yesterday I shared with you a pair of decorative trays that my son's class did for the school's Annual Art Auction. I'd been planning and working on this project off and on since December, so it's no wonder I felt inspired to try some other creative ways to make decorative trays. This past weekend, I finally had all the pieces to put together a tray I'd been excited about, not only because of the creation, but because I'd found most of the pieces on sale.</div>
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I started with an 11x14-in picture frame (regularly $39.99, on clearance for $10!). Then I was looking for some clear blue glass pieces to put in the center. The ones I'd been looking at in the floral section we $14.99, then I found these blue "rocks" in the section with mosaic tiles at Michael's for $4.99, plus I had a 40% off coupon! The E-6000 glue is about $3, but I'd had some that I'd gotten to fix some broken things in the house (a must-have for life with a rowdy boy!).</div>
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I decided to do the project while watching TV Saturday night, because Prince Charming and Lil Monkey were having a boys night curled up in bed early watching The Boxtrolls in the Master bedroom. Many they sure know how to party!</div>
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I set up two of Lil Monkey's kids chairs facing each other to create a table and got started.</div>
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The first thing I did was to lay the picture frame face up and poured the blue rocks onto a plate so I could sort through them. My thought was that since they had large pieces and small pieces I wanted them to be somewhat event distributed through the tray even though they would be "randomly" placed. Once I was able to see all the pieces I was working with, I started to layout this "puzzle without instructions" so that I could see how everything would fit.</div>
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I wanted to lay out the pieces first without gluing them because it would help me get an overall image without making it permanent. It was a good move, because I ended up moving some pieces to replace larger with smaller and smaller with larger. Then, piece by piece I glued down each piece directly to the glass in the frame. During this method a few of the pieces were moved or shifted, but at least they stayed in the general area where I'd placed them. I also used tweezers to place small pieces with glue into any "holes". </div>
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It took about 3 hours in total to do the project, with a few interruptions from Lil Monkey. (Daddy fell asleep and the movie ended, so he came to claim a few rocks for his collection.)</div>
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I let it dry over night. The next day, I carefully tilted the tray over to see if any of the rocks had been missed when gluing or if they glue didn't adhere in some place. Not a problem. The only piece that fell was a loose "extra" blue rock on the top of the tray that I didn't put back in the bag.</div>
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Until our next cup of tea ...</div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-20889795911096229402015-02-22T19:40:00.000-06:002015-02-22T19:40:23.473-06:00Creative Kids Create Colorful Creation<div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This weekend I had the chance to work on some non-fabric projects, which is a fun change of pace. Lil Monkey's school hosts an Annual Art Auction and each class or grade makes a art piece for the auction. This year the Pre-K classes each made their own project, so as Homeroom Parent for Lil Monkey's class, I found a project for the kids to do and another mother helped me work with the kids to do the project.</span></div>
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The project we chose to do was the Alcohol Sharpie Project using 2-inch square tiles to create a pair of decorative trays. We had each of the children color 3 tiles each with Sharpies (they each chose their own colors) and then soften the color by dropping a littl bit of rubbing alochol on them and patting with a cotton ball. The results were quite colorful.</div>
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After the kids colored them, I brought them home and let them dry. Then over a two day period, I sprayed them with several layers of spray Mod Podge. Once dried, my husband and I screwed 2 black handles into a pair of rustic picture frames. (I chose 8x10 inch frames.) The I used a strong glue to glue 20 tiles onto each frame.</div>
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It was quite a fun project, though since I had to buy all of the supplies, a little expensive. The most expensive of course was enough Sharpies for 15 kids.</div>
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Later this week, I will show you a project I did for our home that was inspired byt this one. If you'd like the directions for this one, I've included them below.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Alcohol Tile Art</span></h3>
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<li>Plain White “Subway” Tiles (available at most home improvement stores)</li>
<li>Colored Sharpies (Black and Brown make colors murky, try to avoid them)</li>
<li>Rubbing Alcohol</li>
<li>Eye Dropper</li>
<li>Paper Towels or Cotton Balls</li>
<li>Surface protector (newspaper, plastic wrap, paper plates, etc)</li>
<li>Fixative to seal art (many different sites provide various suggestions, just make sure it’s a spray, applying with a brush with mess up drawing)</li>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Instructions:</span></div>
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<li>Clean and dry tiles to remove any dirt or dust.</li>
<li>Cover work surface.</li>
<li>Color on tiles with Sharpies. Just scribble, any design will be distorted. Try to limit to 2-3 colors or they will become muddled. You can even try with one color and let the white tile be the contrast.</li>
<li>Using eye eropper, drop alcohol onto the tile in random spots.</li>
<li>Using cotton ball or balled up paper towel, gently dab the alcohol around the tile wetting the Sharpie and creating a “watercolor” effect. Don’t over think it. If you don’t like the way it looks, simply rinse the tile with water and wipe dry.</li>
<li>Once you achieve the look you like let the tiles dry for a day or so.</li>
<li>Once tiles have dried, use fixative to seal the tiles, otherwise water or other liquids will wipe them clean again. You may want to seal with several layers.</li>
<li>Adhere to whatever project you want to create.</li>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">** A popular quick project is using 4-inch tiles to make coasters or 6-inch tiles to make trivets. Once dried and sealed, glue felt onto the bottom. Makes great gifts!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Until our next cup of tea ...</span></div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-47557034831401788692015-02-19T21:27:00.001-06:002015-02-19T21:27:23.712-06:00Life with a Picky Eater: Dinner and a Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Life with a child is never easy, and my once "eat anything you give him" child has progressively become a bit of a picky eater in the last 2 years and we decided that once he turned 5, he was no longer going to get special meals - dinner is dinner. Well, it's been 10 days since he turned 5 and some days are easy, some days are not.</div>
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Tonight was one of those "not" days. </div>
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A neighbor had dropped off some chili earlier today, something Jamie has had before. He ate it last week when I made chili, but her made me take all the beans out after the first 2 or 3 bites. This time however, he decided he didn't want to even try it. It was a good old fashioned standoff.</div>
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He did a lot of stalling ... He stated he was allergic to "it". A few minutes later he started moaning that he wished he was in outer space. <i>{That was hard to keep a straight face during.}</i> I told him he was going to sit at the table until he ate his dinner <i>{we only make him eat half.}</i> However, Daddy said it wasn't fair to make me sit there and gave him 15 minutes to eat or he'd go to bed early ... and hungry.</div>
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He was trying every trick in the book to distract us. He confessed that he hurt a friend in school today, and growled at the teacher who corrected him. Yeah ... he was that desperate. </div>
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He reminisced about the Disney cruises we went on ... then he laid out in detail what he was going to do once he finished eating ... </div>
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Then it turned conversational ... "Mama, what do you think about how much I eat? Look how much I eat." I was like, "Dude, you've only eaten like 5 bites."</div>
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The Daddy calls time is up. Boy, the tears began to flow! He begged for more time. Daddy gave him 5 minutes, he negotiated for 10, then 9,then 8 ... this kid! </div>
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Daddy gave him 5 more minutes. So he starts to give himself a pep talk. He kept saying, "O.k. now, only 10 more bites. 10 more bites and I'll be done." ... "9 more bites ... 8 more bites ..."</div>
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Then he kept shoveling too many bites in his mouth and ended up gagging.Oh, goodness. I don't know why as kids we make this so hard! I'm not going to deny it, I was a picky eater, but I also had 11 other siblings who had no problem scarfing the food I was hesitant to eat. </div>
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We eventually achieved success. He then climbed into bed with Daddy to watch a movie and fell asleep. Tomorrow is another night. Let the adventures continue.<br />
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So now you have a peek "behind the scenes" at life at The Teacup Cottage. I thought I could get some blogging done while I sat with him at dinner, but as you see, it got a little dramatic. I do have something excited coming at The Teacup Cottage.</div>
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Until our next cup of tea ...</div>
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<br />The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-18086705963653717052015-02-13T21:16:00.000-06:002015-02-13T21:16:02.540-06:00For the Love of Creativity: Lost & Found Treasures<div>
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This post is a little late, but its been a fun day full of projects here at the house.</div>
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However, I can't talk about crafty friends without mentioning my friend and co-worker at TEAinTEXAS/Texas Tea & Travel. </div>
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Brenda and I talk creative stuff all the time, share crafting ideas, and she spends a lot of time making stuff for the magazine and tea business. She had her sister also make a sell decorative wall hangings online and at crafts fairs. They have some of the cutest letters, hearts and crosses.</div>
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She is quite to collector of broken china, lonely buttons, ribbon scraps and more. I am amazed at how she can take simple little items and turn them into such beautiful creations. She is always showing photos of new projects that she is working one, but don't take my word for it, check out her website at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandBDesign?ref=l2-shopheader-name">D&B Designs</a>. </div>
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Until our next cup of tea ... </div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-51078583830925000572015-02-11T22:05:00.000-06:002015-02-11T22:07:23.152-06:00Valentine's Treats, Simple and Sweet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Each Valentine's Day I try to do something special and creative for Lil Monkey's school mates. I'd rather do a simple craft with the Lil Monkey than to just buy stuff from a store, because my dad and stepmom didn't celebrate Valentine's Day when I was growing up.</div>
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In an earlier post, I showed you heart shaped colors we made for his school mates. Tonight I placed them in bags and added these cute stickers for him to pass out tomorrow.</div>
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Well also picked up a variety of chocolate for his 2 teachers and filled cute colorful flower pots with candy, a flower clip and this two-sided note ... </div>
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I love that he scratched out "apple" and wrote in chocolate. Sometimes an apple doesn't make a teacher as happy as some sweet treats!</div>
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It doesn't have to be elaborate to be special.</div>
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Until our next cup of tea ... </div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-5296588429400992692015-02-11T21:11:00.002-06:002015-02-11T21:11:52.050-06:00For the Love of Creativity: Making A House a Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm really enjoying this week down Memory Lane as I revisit friends who keep me #CreativelyInspired. Today, I spent a little time at Maribel's website trying to decide which of her adorable cottages I want next. You may remember Maribel from when I profiled her beautiful houses at Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But Maribel was also one of those military spouses who taught me early on that your house should reflect you in style and decor - it doesn't matter if the Army moves you every few years, you have to take pride in your home. She was a friend who worked hard to show how proud she was of her home, it didn't matter if she had to spend time painting or rearranging furniture, she took made sure her family always felt like it was home. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maribel, was someone who I'd watched to learn more about being a military spouse. As a young wife, married to a newly commissioned officer, I knew that the impressions I made would be important. Maribel, the spouse of a senior officer was a great example of the poise, confidence and friendiness that I hoped to develop as I started this new life.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I defientely took notes and having friends like this can both inspire and get you in trouble, because the shopping never ends! My Pinterest boards are proof of that! Live life #CreativelyInspired!! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Until our next cup of tea ... </span></div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-41164218721283279122015-02-10T19:15:00.002-06:002015-02-10T19:27:04.261-06:00For the Love of Creativity: Mommy Humor in Life's Special Moments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As I continue a week of friends who keep me #CreativelyInspired, I have to point out, not all of my creafty friends have blogs, sell their products or publicly post their projects. Some of these friends started their creative adventures because they enjoyed the art medium they use and as a part of their enjoyment, they have found ways to incorporate it into their everyday lives, either getting crafty with their kids or using their talents to create memorable events for their families. One of those friends, is Elissa.</div>
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Lissa and I met in college. I attended the same college as our two husbands - at that time the guys were still on probationary status as to whether we'd spend the rest of our lives with them - good new, they passed!</div>
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Lissa was a military spouse like me, our husbands commissioned about a year apart. She attended a neighboring univeristy and would visit on weekends, where we spent most of our times shaking our heads at the crazy ideas the husbands and their friends chose to do for fun. Ten years later we still spend our weekends the same way - just not with their friends, but with their sons.</div>
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Both Lissa and I survived military seperations with the help of a furbaby and crafty arts. Both of us had kids at or near the end of the active duty Army and we are both grateful that our husbands have the chance to spend those precious moments making memories with us instead of us having to tell them in letters, emails and video chats. Both of us are now working moms, who can get overwhelmed by projects we do for our child's special moments, but find it worth the lack of sleep when we see their smiles.</div>
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It was no surprise that she was my first thought today as sat in the carpool line, with 20 minutes until school let out, frantically trying to put together a Batman airplane to serve as a cake topper for my son's birthday cake this weekend. I texted her a picture halfway through, because I knew she has probably had a moment like that at some point as well. </div>
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True to her nature, she offered encouraging words, a little bit of humor and a lot of perspective at my last minute predicament. I didn't quite get it finished, and there's a second something or other that I have to put together. I dropped a Lego or two between the seats, just for a bit of added suspense and panicked<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> trying to cover it when the Lil Monkey was delivered to the vehicle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Life is one big adventure, and with inspiring friends like "miss Lissa", there's not half-finished project that we can't find a little humor in attempting. I'll have to post photos of the cake when we pick it up on Saturday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Until our next cup of tea ...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YY_ZuJap5GI/VEhMFdIN9ZI/AAAAAAAAHqQ/MaMrhpgYTRs/s1600/Signature%2BTeal%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YY_ZuJap5GI/VEhMFdIN9ZI/AAAAAAAAHqQ/MaMrhpgYTRs/s1600/Signature%2BTeal%2B2.jpg" height="116" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-62521980245227657212015-02-09T15:53:00.000-06:002015-02-09T16:04:59.240-06:00For the Love of Creativity: Stuffed<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sometimes being stuffed can cause second thoughts, but that is not the case with the kids kitchen treats company, <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Stuffedplayfood">Stuffed</a></i>. </span></div>
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Kristin and I were neighbors at my first Army duty station. Not only were we neighbors but our husbands were in the same battalion, deploying at the same time. We saw each other when we walked our dogs, attended the same unit events and spouse activities, even found out we were pregnant near the same time, but it wasn't until years later that we discovered we were both crafters. And we lived 5 houses apart!<br />
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Now she has taken that creativity and combined it with the daily activities of two toddlers and created <i>Stuffed</i>!<br />
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"I created <i>Stuffed</i>, an eco-friendly, play-food for your aspiring little chef and make-believer," she says.<br />
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Kristin wholeheartedly believes in teaching her children to be creative and was inspired to create these child-friendly everyday foods to help boost that creativity. You can't help but feel like spending an afternoon in the kitchen with these fun and colorful treats, no matter what age you are!</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: large;">Breakfast is served!!</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: large;">An all-American favorite ...</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: large;">Or a classic favorite!</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">Tea time treats for an afternoon tea party!</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Stuffedplayfood">Stuffed online</a> to learn more about the products and to order a little creativity for your chef! If you would like to place an order or want a list of products, send email to <i><b>stuffed.play@gmail.com</b></i>. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />(** Note: The coffee cup is made to fit your favorite coffee shop's sleeve. So your little one can be just like you!! Starbucks sleeve can be purchased separately.)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />Until our next cup of tea ...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-92057703769421016722015-02-08T14:18:00.001-06:002015-02-08T14:18:14.435-06:00For the Love of Creativity: Creative Baggage<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some might call this the most romantic week of the year, as we countdown the last 7 days until Valentine's Day. This year I thought I would spend this week talking about creative people whom I love!</div>
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Creative people often find themselves surrounded by other crafting people, its our nature to find people with like minds and interests, and lets face it for many of us crafty people, we want friends who tell us its o.k. to buy stuff while we still have 600 half-finished projects, even if our husbands are telling us to finish something before we start another. {Raises hand and nods head in admittance of guilt.} </div>
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First I want to tell you about the person who is as best craft friend a girl can have considering we've never met. You may know her at <a href="http://www.quiltsmart.com/">Quiltsmart</a> Mandy, but before that, she was (and still is) Mandy at <a href="http://www.creativebaggage.com/">Creative Baggage</a>.<br />
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As "Quiltsmart Mandy" you may have seen or talked to her at <a href="http://quiltsmartie.blogspot.com/">Quiltsmart's blog</a>, social media accounts and even followed along as she walks your through creative Quiltsmart projects throughout the year.</div>
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At her blog, Creative Baggage, she takes her readers through a variety of other creative interests as well. Much like me, she is a creative butterfly, floating through a variety of creative worlds such as cooking, quilting, sewing, and kids crafts. Lately she has been taking us on a wild adventure in the kitchen with projects that will make your mouth water, your tummy grumble and inspire you to tie on an apron. </div>
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The only thing she doesn't do it tell you how to get the magically housecleaning fairies to wash your dishes. {sigh} I don't think she's figured that one out yet, either!<br />
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My favorite part is that Mandy is very aware of promoting creative kids. Whether her little helpers are crafting alongside of her or she is creating projects for you to share with your little ones, she definitely believes that childhood should be sprinkled with creativity!<br />
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Mandy and I collaborate on a lot of things and talk almost weekly unless one of the kids is sick and needs attention and love only a Mommy can give. We brainstorm about projects, talk about fabrics, think up new themes and generally focus on how to help you, our visitors, learn more ways to be creative in efficient and unique ways! Between the 2 of us we have a variety of social media and blogs so it is something that is always on our minds.</div>
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I think our husbands may have conspired to keep up apart in real life for fear we'd never come out of whatever creative cave we conjure up. It's probably a good idea, we could go on for days with only chocolate and lattes to fuel us.</div>
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If you have some time to check out her blog, definitely pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea {and some cookies} and dive in because you are in for a creative treat!</div>
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Until our next cup of tea ...<br />
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-56375572839237293512015-02-07T21:56:00.001-06:002015-02-07T21:59:28.484-06:00Color Up Some Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Today my husband had class in the morning followed by drill at the Army base. I decided today was the perfect time to get the Lil Monkey and make Vanetine's Day treat for his school friends.</div>
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This year was a little harder, because he has a number of kids in his class with dietary restrictions. Some have allergies, but mostof them are cultural or religion-based restrictions. So this year, we decided to go the non-food route.</div>
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I'd see the melted crayons made from broken colors, so I thought that my nerves could handle him doing something that involved using the over because he will be 5 on Monday and has learened to stay away from the oven if I tell him too. In the past, my concern was that his curiosity would rule out and he'd try to peek.</div>
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The project itself was pretty fun, though not fast. The supplies included:</div>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">various colors of crayons</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li>small cups (for sorting)</li>
<li>mini muffin tin or non-stick baking cups</li>
<li>cooling sheet (Applique Pressing Sheet)</li>
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Step 1: First I seperated the colors in cups by color families. Reds, blues, organges, yellows, etc. </div>
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Step 2: After the colors were sorted, I peeled the paper off and broken them into small pieces. Usually about 5 pieces for each crayon. The brand I used was Playskool colors. I was able to get 36-pack at Dollar Tree for $1 each. I used 4 packs and made about 45 pieces.</div>
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Step 3: The Lil Monkey helped layout our silicone heart shaped cups on a baing sheet and started filling them with the broken colors. Some were mixed colors, some were just colors in the same "family". We filled the cups to the top because they lose volume once they melt.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He was faster than I was unwrapping them, so he started to play around.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span>This was his sad face because he ran out of broken colors while I was unwrapping them. I guess I wasn't fast enough for him. He was playing around pretending he was going to eat them, then I hear, "Yuck! I think I actually ate some!" Ha! I was laughing so hard!</div>
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Step 4: After we filled all the cups we placed them in a preheated oven at 275 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Some of the cups were filled more than others so I checked at about 10 minutes and there was still some visible bumps and left them in a few minutes longer. It just depends on if you want them completely melted.</div>
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Step 5: After removing from the oven, we let them cool 30 minutes in the cups, them placed in the fridge for another 10 minutes. If you put them directly in the fridge to cool, the rapid temperature change can make some of the colors crack.</div>
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Step 6: We carefully removed them from the silicone cups. </div>
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When we took them out of the oven they had a clear coat that I thought was water, but ince they fried, I realized from the nuted colors that it was the wax in the colors. Once we took them out of the silicone cups, the other side was brightly colored. </div>
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As you can see, we made quite a few. </div>
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The Lil Monkey was so excited with this project. I think we will definitely do something again soon, and this one is going in the books as a redo as well. Between the $4 for colors and the $1 Valentine's treat bags we put them in, we've had quite a budget-friendly project. I'll add stickers or cards with a note from him and be ready to pass out the treats later this week.</div>
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Until our next cup of tea ... </div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-91477519822581288512015-02-03T22:08:00.000-06:002015-02-03T22:08:32.845-06:00#CreativelyInspired<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
At the start if 2015 I knew I wanted to focus on being creatively inspired. It's not that I haven't been inspired in the past, I just decided that I would live each day open to the chance to be creatively inspired. Whether its the color of the flowers in front of my son's school, the design on the shirt of a random stranger in the grocery store or taking something and using it in a new and different way.</div>
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Living life more creatively helps keep the boredom caused by the repetition of daily life at bay. Earlier today I was watching an episode of Heros on Netflix and one of the characters was in the kitchen with a grey, yellow and white dish towel and for some reason the pattern caught my eye and I made a quick note of it in my quilting notebook. I may use it in a quilt one day, I may not, but it caught my attention.</div>
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Yesterday, recieved a package from <a href="http://www.quiltsmart.com/">Quiltsmart</a> with some panels I needed for projects in progress. Inside they had included some extra panels from various Quiltsmart patterns or ZigZapps and I spent about an hour this morning sorting through and trying to decide on some quick projects to do.</div>
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Inside the scrap pack, was a partial panel of <a href="http://www.quiltsmart.com/khxc/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=classic_mfg">Mary's Flower Garden</a>. It looked like they needed one flower from it for a project or something so I had 5 flowers to work with.</div>
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I've really been going through a "French Colonial" phase, or shabby chic, depending on my level of relaxation. When I got home after work, I dug through my fabric and found this beautiful yellow floral by Robyn Pandolph that I had been saving for a "special" project because there wasn't a lot of it.</div>
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After getting the Lil Monkey settled into a Lego project and doing some cleaning in the ktichen, I sat down at my sewing machine and whipped up a proejct in no time. Within two hours I had 4 flowers and all the fabric cut that I needed to make a summer-inspired table topper. I just need to sew it all together. Hopefully, I can get some time one day this week to finish it up. Life has been a little busy lately. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Aoz-cLqI3M/VNGONfiFwBI/AAAAAAAAIMU/0_12xTx-2Uk/s1600/blogger-image-479801322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Aoz-cLqI3M/VNGONfiFwBI/AAAAAAAAIMU/0_12xTx-2Uk/s1600/blogger-image-479801322.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love that it is so easy to try different backgrounds. This green was really pretty as well, but I just love the floral fabric.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jKOPd9wnsdw/VNGOPNczKVI/AAAAAAAAIMc/zS6I24SQQgE/s1600/blogger-image--260542108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jKOPd9wnsdw/VNGOPNczKVI/AAAAAAAAIMc/zS6I24SQQgE/s1600/blogger-image--260542108.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, I'm off to clean up my work space ... a maybe find a little bit of inspiration in that pile of fabric. I hope every day you too look for ways to stay #creativelyinspired.</div>
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Until our next cup of tea ...</div>
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<br />The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-33430786686031918972015-02-02T19:33:00.001-06:002015-02-02T21:24:55.015-06:00A Warm Sunday Stitching Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Yesterday was a warm day. It was in the upper 70s/lower 80s, so we packed up and headed for lunch before going to the park. Of course, made sure to pack a stitching project. It was so nice, sitting there in shorts and tee shirt, while the Lil Monkey ran around playing with our kids and stitching on The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery's 2015 SAL, Story Time Sampler.</div>
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It's hard to believe that today we learned that we will have 6-more weeks of winter. We woke up to temperatures in the 30s and 40s. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEZbv2CSsUc/VM7Am9L-jII/AAAAAAAAIMA/QH7SMvq-uP4/s1600/blogger-image--481001974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEZbv2CSsUc/VM7Am9L-jII/AAAAAAAAIMA/QH7SMvq-uP4/s1600/blogger-image--481001974.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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How do you feel about this wintery extension?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeeObo259NQ/VEhIWTiuRXI/AAAAAAAAHqA/C5R-_CBZEmg/s1600/Signature%2BTeal%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeeObo259NQ/VEhIWTiuRXI/AAAAAAAAHqA/C5R-_CBZEmg/s1600/Signature%2BTeal%2B2.jpg" height="116" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-29518757951485496952015-01-30T19:52:00.000-06:002015-02-19T11:54:50.083-06:00#FrostedPumpkinFriday: Off to a Slow Start<div style="text-align: justify;">
So here is this week's #FrostedPumpkinFriday update of the <a href="http://thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.bigcartel.com/">Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery's</a> 2015 SAL, <a href="http://thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.bigcartel.com/product/2015-story-time-sampler-pdf-cross-stitch-pattern">Story Time</a>. I didn't get very far this week {hangs head in shame} but that's because my mom asked me to help with the planning of the <a href="http://www.rmqf.net/">2015 Rocky Mountain Quilt Festival</a>, which her company <a href="http://www.bearthreaddesigns.com/">Bear Thread Designs</a>, just took over the management. I am super excited that I get to work with all of the vendors who will be participating. {YEAH!!}</div>
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Hopefully next week I will have a better chance to get some work done, but it is really exciting!</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’m excited to post weekly updates here at The Teacup Collector’s Cottage. I would love to see your progress as well. Feel free to post a picture or link to your project. Just remember, out of respect for the designers, please do not post photos of any part of the pattern.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Until our next cup of tea … </span><br />
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-1156932618374434062015-01-28T22:04:00.000-06:002015-01-28T22:04:36.334-06:00The Lion Made Me Do It!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Oh, no! I started something new. Yikes!!</div>
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On my birthday I stopped by the craft store in between lunch and picking up Lil Monkey at school. I wasn't planning to buy anything, I just wanted to stop in a look at stuff. I walked through nearly 3/4 of the store and wandered into the yarn section. I saw this beautiful steel grey bulky yarn and fell in love.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOcWxOycsrY/VMmfi3J9psI/AAAAAAAAIK4/CPs9IGOdygE/s1600/blogger-image-987352175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOcWxOycsrY/VMmfi3J9psI/AAAAAAAAIK4/CPs9IGOdygE/s1600/blogger-image-987352175.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, the reality is that I haven't picked up a crochet hook in probably 20 years. I am a hopeless cause. I've had 2 grandmothers and 1 great grandmother try to teach me to crochet at some point in my life from an early age to the teen years. I cannot read the patterns to save my life!! Seriusly, I am horrible at foreign languages and this is all Greek to me!</div>
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I couldn't pass up the grey yarn and grabbed a hook as well.</div>
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The yarn, Lion Brand Yarns, was a beautiful bulky yard called Edwardian. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dB-SSO9wKgY/VMmfnMu5dkI/AAAAAAAAILI/WLXzn1pW_4U/s1600/blogger-image--1005549334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dB-SSO9wKgY/VMmfnMu5dkI/AAAAAAAAILI/WLXzn1pW_4U/s1600/blogger-image--1005549334.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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So once I got home, it sat near my recliner for a few days while I tried to figure out what I wanted to make. After playing around a bit, and searching on Pinterest for a "magical" quick lesson for beginners, I decided to just go with the one stitch I know, the double crochet.</div>
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Right away, I started making a single crochet chain and by the 40 count-ish I'd lost track. Oh, well, I just made a really long chain and started double crochet from there. By the end of the night, I had almost finished the skein of yarn.</div>
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I worked on it a little more today, after picking up two more skeins of yarn. I'm surprised that it is actually going well as this point. I'll update more next week and we'll see how far I get.</div>
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Until our next cup of tea ...</div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-37446029268079504692015-01-26T20:05:00.000-06:002015-01-28T11:56:10.974-06:00A Weekend Project: Playing with Pinwheels<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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This weekend I wanted to work on a quilt project, but was really not inspired to work on on anything I had on the table, so i looked around for a quick project. Usually, that means that I dig through my bin of Quiltsmart ZigZapps!, but this time I pulled out two Rambling Rose by Moda charms packs I'd gotten at their end og the year sale. It was just enough to do something new and small enough to finish.</div>
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I perused my quilt pins on Pinterest and decided to finally get over my (irrational) fear of triangles, so I decided to do a pinwheel table topper. I sorted through the teals, pinks, brown and tan 5-inch squares and matched them up to make pairs for the pinwheels. I paired each pink with a tan and each teal with a dark brown. I had two 5-inch squares of each fabric and matched the same fabrics together. </div>
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I know that pinwheels are easy, but just in case you haven't made any, here is the simple method I used.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-noUSRS8_9V8/VMbdPLnmOlI/AAAAAAAAIKA/--ch1xm1VW4/s1600/blogger-image--2076364446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-noUSRS8_9V8/VMbdPLnmOlI/AAAAAAAAIKA/--ch1xm1VW4/s1600/blogger-image--2076364446.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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First, I flipped over one in each pair (the pink or the teal) and drew a diagonal like from top to bottom like this.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_HCa9WmP-U/VMbb9nMItlI/AAAAAAAAIJs/_6y_x9x3pnI/s1600/blogger-image--1210007608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_HCa9WmP-U/VMbb9nMItlI/AAAAAAAAIJs/_6y_x9x3pnI/s1600/blogger-image--1210007608.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I pinned each marked square with its mate, right sides together, on either side of the line.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCTbATOFDRY/VMbbyQ-VkII/AAAAAAAAIJE/Zvq15TlyCgU/s1600/blogger-image-1463283364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCTbATOFDRY/VMbbyQ-VkII/AAAAAAAAIJE/Zvq15TlyCgU/s1600/blogger-image-1463283364.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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At the sewing machine, I used the line as a guide and sewed 1/4 inch on each side of the line. After each one was sewn on each side of the line I cut the pairs apart on the line, creating two half-square traingles, a little larger than 4 1/2 inches each. (Not shown.)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cBwuXgzvi-4/VMbdVU7gMeI/AAAAAAAAIKI/JbFSktFkQaI/s1600/blogger-image--724656141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cBwuXgzvi-4/VMbdVU7gMeI/AAAAAAAAIKI/JbFSktFkQaI/s1600/blogger-image--724656141.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Afterwards, I had 4 half-square traingles of each of the fabric pairs.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2v-kmu0_32o/VMbb5UTw6NI/AAAAAAAAIJc/f9Ae0iWyuZQ/s1600/blogger-image--2125285054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2v-kmu0_32o/VMbb5UTw6NI/AAAAAAAAIJc/f9Ae0iWyuZQ/s1600/blogger-image--2125285054.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I trimmed each one down to the next half-inch. Unfortunately, I was watching my little guy play in the back yard and cutting the squares in front of our big picture window and cut a few sets at 4-inches before realizing my mistake, so then I just made all of them 4-inch squares.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSLiC5dMbZU/VMbd0zAXxLI/AAAAAAAAIKY/jTXLgJ-2U0g/s1600/blogger-image--1687594408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSLiC5dMbZU/VMbd0zAXxLI/AAAAAAAAIKY/jTXLgJ-2U0g/s1600/blogger-image--1687594408.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once I had the sets of half-square triangles, I flipped them all sorts of ways to see what my choices were, but this time I stayed with my original plan and decided to make pinwheels. </div>
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I sewed them together and soon had 16-pinwheels ready to be put together. </div>
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I'll show you the finished tabletopper later. I am hoping to use it for a feature story I am writing for TEAinTEXAS' summer issue.</div>
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This was a quick and easy project. If it wasn't for our sewer line breaking, unexpected out of town family stopping by for a visit, vehicle maintenance and birthday dinner out with friends, I would have been able to finish it in one weekend!!</div>
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Until our next cup of tea,</div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-45701906939269888892015-01-23T20:25:00.000-06:002015-01-30T20:03:56.776-06:00#FrostedPumpkinFriday: the Cold (Old) Hard Facts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Its #FrostedPumpkinFriday!! I am so excited about this new SAL, <a href="http://thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.bigcartel.com/product/2015-story-time-sampler-pdf-cross-stitch-pattern">Story Time Sample</a>r, by <a href="http://thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.bigcartel.com/">Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery</a>. I didn't get as much done this week as I'd hoped to accomplish. I was hoping to get some stitching in today, but the <a href="http://www.teaintexas.com/">TEAinTEXAS</a> magazine has seen some growth this year and our 2015 issues are going to be the biggest one's yet! It's exciting, but with extra feature writing and last minute client additions, I didn't get to sit and stitch much. </div>
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I've gotten a little further than this, but still not finished with the first frame yet.</div>
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Starting this project did make me face reality. I've been working on another project, my carpool project, on a high count thread fabric. I think it's a 28-count white eventweave and I'm stitching over 2. I work on it mostly in daylight (carpool) so I hadn't really noticed any issues. But when I started on this project with the "Storm" by <a href="http://www.picturethisplus.com/">Picture This Plus</a>, the light grey and muted or pastel tones of the floss, I soon realized I'm going to need either glasses or a magnifying glass. UGH! I feel old. Two years ago at 35 I was told I needed glasses, but somehow this makes me feel old. Sure, I'm suppose to wear my prescribed glasses when I read, am on the computer, sew or stitch, but this just makes me feel so ancient. Well, that and my birthday was yesterday and there were a few old jokes.</div>
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But there is a happy note. I am absolutely, head over heels in love with Picture This Plus. From their site, you can see they have lots of selection and each one is gently dyed in small batches and the best part? They stitched the sides of my fabric piece so it wouldn't unravel!! Now, I'd like to believe I am special, but I'm pretty sure they do this on all their fabric cuts. But I still feel special.</div>
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I love the varigated patterns that turned up in my 1/4 yard f Storm. The greys are very beautiful. </div>
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Well, I'm off to get some more stitching done before bedtime. Show me your Frosted Pumpkin Project! It doesn't have to be from the Story Time Sampler.</div>
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Until our next cup of tea ...</div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-86194683634903830352015-01-22T13:11:00.000-06:002015-01-22T13:11:39.714-06:00Exploring Something New: Birthday Lunch<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today is my birthday and as it happens to also be a Thursday, the office is empty except for me today. The publisher is working on the upcoming Spring TEAinTEXAS issue at home because it is storming like crazy here. The other staff are usually in the office on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays, so it's just me today. As luck would have it today, none of my friends work on this side of town eather, so I am spending lunch at The Teacup Collector's Cottage. It is not as sad as it sounds ...</div>
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I decided to try something new. Now I am not one of those super confident people who can eat lunch by themselves, but it has gotten easier. I usually work, or blog, depending on where we are wiith the magazine.</div>
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I was driving around trying to decided where I wanted to go, since I am usually just a comfort-zone kind of person when it comes to restuarants - but you if you can't be adventureous on your birthday, when can you? I saw a Sam moon store, a place I'd heard about for years from Lil Monkey's god-mother, Mindy, but I'd never been. I pulled in contimplating just going "window-shopping" instead of facing a lunch alone and drove past a place called SushiPop. I'm not going to lie at this point, I love sushi. Like a lot. Like get it made fresh at the local HEB almost every week. I, seriously, love sushi.</div>
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I pulled in and like any chicken, Googled it to see the menu so I wouldn't look like a dork when I went in. The menu is amazing. Traditional sushi, specialty sushi, bowls, soups, etc. Contrary to my first (humorous) thought it is not sushi on a stick like cake pops, but there's an idea ...</div>
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So I go in and explain at the counter that it was my first time there and she asked what I usually eat. Well, a favorite is the philly roll, a salmon, avocado and cream cheese sushi roll. She suggested I try to Pop This which is the same roll and fried, sort of like an egg roll. Egg roll? I'll try that!</div>
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A few minutes later I was brought this little plate of heavenly yumminess! (sorry, its a little blurry, but I was excited to try it!) It was soft, but crunchy. I don't know how to explain it. The sauce was like this spicy creamy goodness. Trust me, it was good!</div>
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The restaurant itself was nice too. Very modern, very clean. The staff was extremely nice. </div>
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I even ate it with chop sticks. Look at me just jumping in all traditional like. Sushi is probably the only thing I can eat with chopsticks and not look like a messy Marvin. </div>
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All in all, I overcame my hesitation and trying something new was totally worth it! I may have to see if the publisher knows about this place. It's really close to the office, so she may have been here before, but if not, I think we may need a field trip!!</div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-20799069464502402872015-01-21T21:38:00.000-06:002015-01-21T21:38:36.329-06:00Lego and Have Some Creative Fun!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Hello All! Well, I have clearly been away for a few days, but it's because I was working on a fun project ... or two. First of all, The Lil Monkey decided that he wanted a Lego-themed birthday party this year. Unfortunately, there is very little Lego-themed party stuff, other than the Lego Movie and Lil Monkey prefers the Lego Marvel Superheros. After a little bit of searching, I found a rather simple plan for making invitations and thank you cards, so with a little creativity and digital cutting and pasting, I figured out something that he blessed with his approval.</div>
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You may have seen these before, and may have already figured out how to do it without step-by-step instructions, but here is what I did.</div>
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Step 1: First I purchased several sheets each of red, blue and yellow 12x12 scrapbook pages. Each page provided for 2 invitations with space for extra circles.</div>
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2: I cut each paper at 8 inches, then cut that in half at 6 inches. The final pieces were 6x8 inches.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oArpxGuxWy8/VMBhVck67dI/AAAAAAAAIFI/StHNqnxEekA/s1600/blogger-image-2115818605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oArpxGuxWy8/VMBhVck67dI/AAAAAAAAIFI/StHNqnxEekA/s1600/blogger-image-2115818605.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Step 3: I took the 6x8-inch pieces and folded it in half making the 4x6 inch invitations.</div>
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Step 4: Next i took the 4-inch strip that was left over from the original cuts and used my Fiskars 2-inch circle hole punch and cut out circles. You need two for each invitation, but there is enough to make extras. Save those for later projects.</div>
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Step 5: I added 3-dimensional adhesive squares to the back of the circles. I added two circles on the front of each folded invitation.</div>
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This is the final outside of the invitations. </div>
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Step 6: I used stock photos from the internet and created the information for the party. I made them 3.5x5 inches so they fit inside. I also used a stock photo and made a photo to put on top. I printed them on 65-weight cardstock, but you may be able to print on photo paper. I then glued them to the inside of the folded invitation.</div>
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This is what my work area looked like by the time I finished.</div>
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I made thank you cards using the same techniques execpt I cut them at 4x6-inches and left them flat instead of folding them.</div>
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The invitations were a hit. Everyone loved them. Next I have decorations and gift bags, so I'll post those as I get them done.</div>
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Until our next cup of tea ...</div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-12720483640156366562015-01-16T16:41:00.000-06:002015-01-16T16:41:26.922-06:00#FrostedPumpkinFriday: Let's Get This Party Started<div>
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EEK! I can’t believe its that time already! I signed up a few weeks ago for the <a href="http://thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.bigcartel.com/">Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery</a>’s <a href="http://thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.bigcartel.com/product/2015-story-time-sampler-pdf-cross-stitch-pattern">Story Time Sampler</a> Stitch-A-Long! The first pattern was scheduled to be released Jan. 15 (yesterday). I was so excited, I even set my calendar to remind me!</div>
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So yesterday, a little after 7 p.m. I logged onto my email to see what stitching happiness was waiting for me in my inbox.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_KcYeamsQXw/VLmJhMxjPUI/AAAAAAAAIEQ/3zzPXnenwkg/s1600/blogger-image--1870350011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_KcYeamsQXw/VLmJhMxjPUI/AAAAAAAAIEQ/3zzPXnenwkg/s1600/blogger-image--1870350011.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></div>
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Luckily, I waited until the Lil Monkey had eaten and was settled in watching TV with Daddy, because I opened it up and just like a favorite book, I was hooked!</div>
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So today, I officially start #FrostedPumpkinFriday on my blog. Last week my fabric from <a href="http://www.picturethisplus.com/">Picture This Plus</a> arrived. It is a beautiful, hand-dyed grey 28-count Laguna in a light grey called “<a href="http://www.picturethisplus.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=Storm">Storm</a>”. I was in love when I opened the package. I’m a grey-and-pink kind of girl, so I was in heaven with this piece. Now the pattern called for a 1/8 yard cut, but I ordered1/4 yard when I saw the color.</div>
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I also picked up most of the DMC floss needed for the project earlier this week. The original was made with Weeks Dye Works, but the pattern provides the conversion numbers. I think hubby is less happy when I buy floss than when I buy stuff to start a new project, since I literally have containers of leftover floss from other projects. I guess that $.39 starts to add up in his mind.</div>
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I’m excited to get started on the project and even have a little more time that I thought because I recently decided not to go into the magazine office on Fridays. There are 2 computers and 3 desks, but have up to 5 staff members at any given time and with us blending and packaging teas on Fridays, a lot of the work space is used for orders and prepping for events. I can take a hint.</div>
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So it looks like on weeks I don’t have errands or meetings near the office and Lil Monkey’s school, I can be found at a nearby Starbucks sitting and stitching on this project. I may need to take donations for that … or alternate at the library. That’s kind of poetic, stitching on a Story Time Sampler at the library. </div>
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I’m excited to post weekly updates here at The Teacup Collector’s Cottage. I would love to see your progress as well. Feel free to post a picture or link to your project. Just remember, out of respect for the designers, please do not post photos of any part of the pattern.</div>
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Until our next cup of tea … </div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-23589841667114093872015-01-15T20:16:00.000-06:002015-01-15T20:16:33.457-06:00The Heart of the Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
OMG! We are only a few weeks away from Valentine's Day!! It's actually an exciting time for me because we recieved an early Valentine's Day present 5 years ago. Our Lil Monkey was born on Feb. 9, and then of course next week is my birthday so it's actually a bit of a whirlwind couple of months for us.</div>
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So of course, I'm getting an early start on pink projects!! </div>
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On Saturday, I told you about an accidental project that I stumbled upon while making a mistake on this project. While I said I'd show the finished one of that one with this, I don't quite have it ready. Sorry, but hopefully, this makes up for it.</div>
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I wanted to make some quick projects and Quiltsmart ZigZapps! are the easiest way to do that, so I dug around in my stash and found some pink fabric and Sweetheart ZigZapps! A little stitching and flipping and I whipped up this kitchen towel!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbSwFdHRwmI/VLhkdJ8byII/AAAAAAAAIDQ/KD-qnP1_Vw4/s1600/blogger-image-850184794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbSwFdHRwmI/VLhkdJ8byII/AAAAAAAAIDQ/KD-qnP1_Vw4/s1600/blogger-image-850184794.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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A few friends have asked me if the Quiltsmart ZigZapps! are really as easy as I say. So let me walk you through how I do them.</div>
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First, I cut around the border of the ZigZapp! Then pin it to the right side of the fabric with the textured fusible side towards the fabric.</div>
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Then I stitch on the solid line.</div>
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I cut out the stitched piece on the dotted line, then carefully cut out the inset ZigZapp! if there is one. If there is a dotted line in the center, like the small heart, I cut on that line before sewing.</div>
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Then carefully flip the fabric so the rightside is facing out and the printed interfacing is on the back with the textured fusible side facing out.</div>
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I lay the turned piece on an Applique Pressing Sheet or Grip-n-Press by Bear Thread Designs with the interfacing on the craft sheet and iron it flat. This will prevent the fusible from transferring to my work surface.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uH7934YDrc/VLhkZCItR_I/AAAAAAAAIDA/ffd6JzYGsZ8/s1600/blogger-image--566592514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uH7934YDrc/VLhkZCItR_I/AAAAAAAAIDA/ffd6JzYGsZ8/s1600/blogger-image--566592514.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next I lay it on the background fabric and iron it down. The fusible will tack it down to the fabric, but depending on the fabric, like this textured towel I sometimes need to pin it.</div>
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Then stitch it stitch it down. Now, usually I stitch it to the background fabric with clear thread using a zigzag stitch, however this one I wanted to have a white stitched line show. The you finish your project as planned.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4YkjIpxtMU/VLhklI3I3qI/AAAAAAAAIDw/0tA6RlOHnIw/s1600/blogger-image-552369203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4YkjIpxtMU/VLhklI3I3qI/AAAAAAAAIDw/0tA6RlOHnIw/s1600/blogger-image-552369203.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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See, easy peasy! It took me less than an hour to make this, with 4 "life crisis" interruptions from a 4-year-old and taking pictures of each step. Now, it's your turn! Let me know when you try a project, I'd love to see it!</div>
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Until our next cup of tea ...</div>
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<br />The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-52603756890492940402015-01-14T17:37:00.003-06:002015-01-14T17:37:53.051-06:00History Has A Way of Repeating Itself ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Have you even done a project and look at it later, thinking that you'd like to try it again? </div>
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In 2009, I was working as a Family Representative for a military unit. When we hosted our annual Volunteer of the Year Ceremony, the commander wanted to give something unique to the so I decided to turn terra cotta pots into "baskets" for some of the items we had special ordered for the recipients. </div>
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Earlier, I was looking through some of my old posts from my previous blog, looking for ideas for Valentine's presents for Lil Monkey's teachers and found this post. Here is what I did ...</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Step 1: Chose the pieces you want. I used medium-sized terra cotta planters with saucers.</i></span></center>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mtqTgJIQ2dc/Sb2qJw1fcwI/AAAAAAAABjk/zgr9v4QggM8/s1600-h/Pots+3.JPG" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: start; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mtqTgJIQ2dc/Sb2qJw1fcwI/AAAAAAAABjk/zgr9v4QggM8/s400/Pots+3.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313590220071858946" style="border: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Step 2: Sand them to remove any ridges or rough spots, then wipe with a damp cloth to clean.</i></span></center>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mtqTgJIQ2dc/Sb2ow64_byI/AAAAAAAABjc/8WEZlMeADNs/s1600-h/Pots+4.JPG" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: start; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mtqTgJIQ2dc/Sb2ow64_byI/AAAAAAAABjc/8WEZlMeADNs/s400/Pots+4.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313588693762535202" style="border: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Step 3: Let them dry completely. Be sure to flip over so the interior drys as well. I let them dry for more than 24-hours.</i></span></center>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Step 4: Paint them. I used 3 coats for the base, letting each dry at least and hour or two before adding the next one. Depending on the paint you can get creative and drag a dry-brush over the top coat while wet to get striping. </span></center>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Creative Tip: After drying, do secondary color. Try sponging a complementing over the top.</span></center>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mtqTgJIQ2dc/Sb2nGYmHo1I/AAAAAAAABjM/7GfZI5m0Y1k/s1600-h/Pots+6.JPG" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: start; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mtqTgJIQ2dc/Sb2nGYmHo1I/AAAAAAAABjM/7GfZI5m0Y1k/s400/Pots+6.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313586863490442066" style="border: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">Step 5: After the pieces are completely dried, add accessories. I glued ribbon of the complementing color to the rim and then added ribbons.</span></h3>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">It was a very easy project, but does take time for the drying. I'd recommend you add a clear coat once the paint dries for a shiny look and to protext from scratches. I did the pink one later in 2009 ... for me and used it to ho;d utensils on my kitchen counter before Army movers broke it in a move. I used an ordinary stamp to add the designs. </span></div>
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Until our next cup of tea ...<br />
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<br />The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-61778334028622855682015-01-13T20:04:00.003-06:002015-01-13T20:04:56.237-06:00Happiness is Hexagons!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
This past weekend, I was able to spend a little time working on a project that I am using <a href="http://www.quiltsmart.com/khxc/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=zz5p_hexagons">Quiltsmart Hexagon ZigZapps!</a> to make it. While I won't be posting this project for a while, I have to say these Hexagon ZigZapps! are super easy and very fun!</div>
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They come in 3 sizes, 2-inch, 1.5-inch and 1-inch and i am overflowing with ideas as I sew these quick little hexes. I can assure you, I have looked at hexagon quilts for years and loved them. For years I have stressed about how hard triangles looked, so I didn't even want to think about these little six-sided bundles of potiental tears. </div>
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The technique that Mattie at <a href="http://www.quiltsmart.com/">Quiltsmart</a> has designed is simple, you place your printed interfacing on the right side of the fabric, sew around the sewing line, trim on the cutting line and then flip inside out (you cut a slit in center of interfacing - I do it before sewing so I don't cut my fabric.) It's literally as easy as turning my kid's socks right side out, and less smelly! Most of the <a href="http://www.quiltsmart.com/khxc/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=catshow&ref=ZigZapps">Quiltsmart ZigZapps!</a> use this technique or a version of it and I am addicted! </div>
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I had a lot of fun and in no time, I had a pile of each of these sizes sitting there waiting to find their place in the project. (The pink is actually the above color, my phone flashed on the photos below.) I can honestly say, I will not do hexagons any other way! (Sits on hands to show my resolve and commitment!)</div>
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If you've wanted to try hexes but were too scared, or if you've given up after other techniques, take a deep breath and try these. You'll be happy you did!</div>
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Until our next cup of tea ...</div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-85455762597041352922015-01-10T09:12:00.001-06:002015-01-10T16:10:15.629-06:00An Accidental "Sweetheart" Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Houston we've had a problem here ... Well, yes, but maybe it can be a good thing. Well, I'm sure that's not how the conversations went with the crew of Apollo 13 when they reported a technical problem back to their Houston base, but as a Houstonian, let's just go with it for the sake of the post. (A little histocial fact, they are often misquoted as saying "Houston, we have a problem" because of the Apollo 13 movie.)</div>
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Anyway, back to the post ... Last night I was working on some wreaths with a friend, Erin (more on that later.) After hubby came home and we have dinner, he offered to do dishes so I headed to the sewing room for a little relaxation and stress-relief after a hard day at work (production time at the magazine.)</div>
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After working on some pink wreaths, I was ready to get a jumpstart on some Valentine's Day projects, so I pulled out my trusty bin of Quiltsmart interfacing panels and dug around looking for some Sweetheart ZigZapps! I found a panel and a half as well as some pink fabric and a project was born within minutes.</div>
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I tuned into Netflix on my iPad (I'm currently binge-watching Heroes), while I pinned and sewed the fabric heart. It must have been a cliffhanger kind of moment because I had it all sewn and cut out before realizing I'd pinned it to the wrong side of the fabric. Oh, no!! Considering that usually I do a good amount of fusible applique, I'm surprised this is the first time I've done that.</div>
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I sat there looking at this perfectly cute heart, flipping it over back and forth (like that would fix it), bummed that turning the interfacing would leave it inside out and the back on this fabric didn't have anything showing through on the other side. </div>
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I was thought, "If I leave it like this, it will be raw-edge ... what can I do with that?" The back didn't have a slit yet in the back since I was just going to cut the smaller heart off to reuse, so I thought maybe I could put it on an craft apron as a spoon pocket and only sew up the sides, leaving the top and bottom open for a pair of scissors. Then I thought, I could just sew up the "V" portion and put it as a little pocket on a back. While I liked both of those ideas, it required me starting a larger project and I had to put The Lil Monkey to bed in an hour. I needed something fast ... LIGHT BULB! A banner!!</div>
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I dug around and found my Quiltsmart banner panels and grabbed one with some white fabric and within minutes, I had made this adorable banner. Today, I have to run errands and added to my list to get some fabric for letters. I'll lad the work LOVE in between the hearts and add a ribbon across the top. I'll post a finished photo when I post the orginal project I had set out to make.</div>
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All in all the lesson here is, you never know where your mistakes will take you. If you just roll with the punches, sometimes falling down gives you a better view! </div>
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Until our next cup of tea ... </div>
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<br />The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-85317496278493269182015-01-07T20:01:00.003-06:002015-01-07T20:30:11.281-06:00Operation Organization: Keeping Track, Keeping Motivated<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
On thing that I have learned in more than 10 years as a military wife, is that life is easier with organization and order. It has actually become something I am known for among my friends and colleagues. Lists, notes, journals and more. Does that mean that my house is an organized and well running machine - no, I'm only human, and in fact as I write this, a pile of dishes silently stares at me waiting to be loaded into dishwasher and my son's school uniform for picture day tomorrow is still sitting in front of the washing machine, but being organized does make it quicker when I do face the most dreaded of household tasks.</div>
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Lists, charts and timelines are something I thrive on most. Sure I've shown you stacks of carefully cataloged boxes and bins, but really the important part is the list that tells me what is in those containers and where I am on the projects. </div>
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Last year a fellow crafter asked me for the project worksheet that I'd made in 2007 or 2008 during one of my husband's deployments. I updated it last year to reflect The Teacup Collector's Cottage, now that I chronicle my creative adventures here. </div>
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Since we've spent some time talking about organization lately I thought I'd share with you my simple little project organizer.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r6sAfQpqJsA/VK3aijKh3TI/AAAAAAAAIA8/8RTyQA9l-WM/s1600/Creative%2BProjects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r6sAfQpqJsA/VK3aijKh3TI/AAAAAAAAIA8/8RTyQA9l-WM/s1600/Creative%2BProjects.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
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Its no secret that I juggle what feels like 700 ongoing projects. At home, work, and with my son's school, I am a start-to-finish type person, so to be able to set something down and start something new is a bit of a vacation. There is no deadline really, unless I impose one like the Quiltsmart Round Robin. </div>
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Ultimately, when it comes to creative projects, I like the worksheet because some projects can make you feel like you are spinning your wheels and getting nowhere, but having notes to track progress can put things in perspective.</div>
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What do you do to keep motivated on long projects?<br />
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Until our next cup of tea ...</div>
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The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634843003294105318.post-3192315900849025752015-01-01T16:25:00.001-06:002015-01-01T20:27:54.926-06:00Story Time SAL Gets Us "Frosted" in 2015!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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A few months ago my friend Teresa introduced me to a new cross stitch pattern company, <a href="http://thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.bigcartel.com/">The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery</a>. When I explored the site, I instantly fell in love. So many cute projects! I had a lot of projects on my plate at the time and was unable to start something new without finishing a few, but I definitely added their <a href="http://thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.bigcartel.com/product/tea-time-pdf-cross-stitch-pattern">Tea Time</a> pattern to my wish list. </div>
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Last week I saw a post i<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ntroducing their 2015 Mystery Stitch-a-Long...<a href="http://thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.bigcartel.com/product/2015-story-time-sampler-pdf-cross-stitch-pattern">Story Time Sampler</a> where once a month participants would receive a portrait of some of our favorite characters from literature! What!?! Books and crafts! Who could pass that up?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So the next day, I signed up and received the instruction guide and supply list! Yeah! I am super excited to get started!! </span><br />
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<b style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Some stories we'll be stitching up:</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Alice in Wonderland<br />Little Women<br />Lady of Shalott<br />Sherlock Holmes and more!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The finished Story Time pattern measures 8.2" x 11.2" tall and 131 stitches wide x 180 stitches tall on 16 ct. aida or 32 ct. linen. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have so many projects that I rotate through, I think I will start a #<i>FrostedPumpkinFriday</i> post to keep me going. I'll try to post progress reports MOST Fridays and encourage you to post photos of your progress if you are participating in the SAL. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you are participating please remember to only post photos of your project, not the pattern. Artists work hard to create these patterns and in order to keep pricing reasonable, we must remember not to share their work with those who have not purchased it. If you have any questions feel free to post, or email #<i>TheFrostedPumpkin</i> directly at </span><span style="font-family: CenturyGothic; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;"><i>thefrostedpumpkinstitchery@gmail.com</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Until our next cup of tea ...</span></div>
The Teacup Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13935858087076185741noreply@blogger.com0