tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19298478864909483082024-03-12T22:36:17.947-06:00Calico Roadmy life, one stitch at a timeCalico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-6471900076388645762011-02-18T10:00:00.000-07:002011-02-18T10:00:10.030-07:00The New Project - that I can't start yetI've got a new project on my brain and I'm so excited to get to work on it! But I can't start yet. I don't have enough fabric. Let me rephrase that. I don't have enough different fabrics. And since I'm on a strict fabric budget, I can't just run out and get what I need. Here's why......<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I saw this Fandango fabric by Kate Spain months ago online and fell in love with it. I've been wanting to make a new quilt for our bedroom that included the green of my walls (because I'm lazy and didn't want to repaint), aqua, blue, lime green, and then a splash of red or orange. Fandango has ALL these colors and it isn't too froo froo, so the Gardener Guy agreed on it. I hopped online and bought myself a layer cake of Fandango with a plan of making a queen sized quilt using the Disappearing Nine Patch pattern. I knew that I wanted to incorporate some other fabrics I'd already started accumulating for this quilt and I figured I was on my way to making my FIRST queen size quilt. That is, until I realized I didn't have nearly enough 10" squares. I should also explain here that I want each square to be different, I don't want any repeating fabrics. Crap. Now I have to sit down and figure out how many 10" squares I'm going to need for this pattern. That's going to involve some math. Double crap.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Have I ever mentioned how much I hate math? Just the <u>mention</u> of number crunching causes an instant glazing over of my eyes, and I start to pay attention to things in the room like how many holes are in the ceiling tiles. It probably makes you wonder why I love quilting so much. I'm wondering the same thing. I mean seriously, not only is there some major math involved, but it's FRACTIONS, which is even worse. Ugh.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, I manned up and did a few equations, and got a <strike>impossible</strike> really big number. Like a 3 digit number. In order to make this quilt the size I want, I am going to need 108 squares. In case you didn't get that, let me repeat. I'M GOING TO NEED 108 TEN INCH SQUARES. Seems like way too many. Certainly that can't be right. Well it is.<br />
I did math <u>4 times</u> just to make sure.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>The layer cake came with 50 squares, and I went through my fabric stash multiple times to add to the end number, and so far I'm at 86.<br />
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Holy cow, this may take a while.Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-9633855846225712122011-01-24T21:39:00.002-07:002011-01-24T21:44:35.462-07:00First Non-Resolution Completed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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Amazing what one whole day in the craft room does.<br />
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Even though I feel like I wasted a day that could've been spent crafting, it feels nice to look around and not instantly feel overwhelmed by the chaos. It's handy to know exactly where my fabrics are, so when I'm looking for a particular red, I can go to the container it's in, not the bottom of the last pile where I think I saw it. You know what I'm talking about.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Considering how long I've been working in chaos, it may take me a while to get used to this. I'll bet it takes way less time to turn back into chaos. Just being honest.<br />
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<u>Here's a breakdown of how I organized my fabric:</u><br />
Top shelf middle and left in plastic bins are fat quarters.<br />
Top shelf right are quarter yard cuts of solids, in color order. (kind of)<br />
Bottom shelf is everything one half yard or bigger. (the little pile on the right are<br />
precuts for my pincushions)<br />
On the counter in plastic bins are pieces that are bigger than scraps, but not fat quarters.<br />
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What you can't see is the bottom of the cabinet where I keep my containers of scraps. Yep, I said containers. Like plural. Maybe I'll show you that next time, it's pretty bad.Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-69239842632675463672011-01-02T10:06:00.000-07:002011-01-02T10:06:50.416-07:00This is not a Resolution<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">I don't know if I've ever told you this before, but I always have really great plans for the New Year. I'm always going to lose 30 pounds by Valentine's Day, stop spending money on lunches and be a millionaire by the end of the year, and of course, keep my craft room organized. All very realistic plans, don't you think? I should also tell you that I stink at follow-through. For example, it took me approximately 6 hours yesterday to cave on the diet plan and start shoveling left over fudge into my face.<br />
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This year, I'm going to focus on one thing. Keeping the craft room clean. </div><br />
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My main focus is to get my fabric under control.<br />
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I've attempted this before, and it never takes me long to get frustrated and give up. I can never figure out the best way to organize all the scraps and cuts I have, but I think I've got it figured out. I've got a plan.Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-65409956007337839182010-12-30T19:29:00.000-07:002010-12-30T19:29:43.012-07:00Curtains! (almost)People, I have a confession to make. We have lived in this house for 8 YEARS and I've never had curtains in my living room. Never. Ever.<br />
I've never really been much for window dressings. I don't get fancy, I don't spend a lot of money. And for some reason I'm really intimidated by them. Silly huh?<br />
So my goal for the last <strike>8 years</strike> few months has been to finally make a decision on what I'm going to do with my big front window. It's a bay window, but not a cool seat type of bay window as it's 3 ft from the floor. The total dimensions, including the trim around it is 6 ft wide by 4 ft 2 in tall.<br />
I know what you're thinking. Just make two long panels on each side of the window to kind of frame it. Yep, I've thought of that, and that's what I'm trying to go for. I even bought a curtain rod 3 YEARS AGO which you can see in the picture. It's been on the wall, <strike>taunting</strike> inspiring me for that long. But, (and it's a big but) there are heat vents against the wall directly below where those nice panel curtains would hang. Because they have to go to the floor. They can't be the same length as the window. They just can't. I'd feel like I was living in a Super 8 hotel. Not even a Holiday Inn Express, a Super 8. And even <u>I</u> don't sink that low. (Plus there's a little thing called money missing from my life these days, so there's another obstacle. Just throwing that out there.) *sigh<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TR07_dI2FrI/AAAAAAAAAlI/6WT6lYyCwQs/s1600/DSC02877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TR07_dI2FrI/AAAAAAAAAlI/6WT6lYyCwQs/s200/DSC02877.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TR08Dge5rqI/AAAAAAAAAlM/1VsrAzp7s0c/s1600/DSC02880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TR08Dge5rqI/AAAAAAAAAlM/1VsrAzp7s0c/s200/DSC02880.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div> <br />
Well let me tell you, I was at Target doing some Christmas shopping (with that money I don't have) and came across these shower curtains ON SALE. And there were a crapload of them. In my color none the less! I heard the angels sing, and then they started hacking and coughing like they were lifetime smokers because I realized that these shower curtains won't be long enough to reach the floor. But then they cleared the phlem and started singing again, because I realized I can just add a panel to get some more length! YAY!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TR07AvRDvXI/AAAAAAAAAlE/VJqKhi5GzDM/s1600/DSC02858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TR07AvRDvXI/AAAAAAAAAlE/VJqKhi5GzDM/s320/DSC02858.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>But, (and it's a big but again) I can't for the life of me figure out where exactly on the curtain I should add the panel, AND (the most important part) which color I should use for the "extender piece". *sigh My living room colors are tan, white, red, and dark chocolate brown. Walls are tan, trim (except for said window) is white, hardwood floors are the ugliest scratched up Golden Oak color, along with the bay window trim, but accent shelves and such are dark brown. <br />
HELP ME PEOPLE. What should I do? Do I use dark brown for the "extender piece"? White? God knows I don't want to try and match this red, you know how that can go. AND, do I insert the "extender piece" at the bottom? Somewhere toward the top, but a little below, so there's red on top? Gawd, I just can't make this decision. This is worse than trying to decide what to use for the binding on a quilt. *sigh<br />
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(and yes, those are also white shower curtains in the picture, and they're for my next <strike>meltdown</strike> project.)Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-84209945389910505772010-12-16T21:50:00.000-07:002010-12-16T21:50:53.692-07:00White Elephant Gift WrappingI have a White Elephant gift exchange at work tomorrow. I almost forgot about it.<br />
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So.......in a pinch, I went through our old CDs and found this Holiday CD from Old Navy. I think it was like $3 when I bought it, and I don't love it, so maybe some lucky sucker in my office will appreciate it more. Or not.<br />
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Since we don't have our Box O' Christmas Wrap down yet, I went with the old stand by - aluminum foil. <br />
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Now, being the crafty chic I am, the plain ol' foil wouldn't do, so of course I had to jazz it up with some painters tape as the ribbon. And a bow. Perfect.<br />
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I seriously LOVE White Elephant parties. It's so fun to see what kind of crap will get unwrapped next. The first White Elephant gift exchange I ever attended, I unwrapped a pitcher that looked like a monkey <strike>humping</strike> holding a pumpkin. It was awful. And awesome.<br />
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Merry Chistmas everybody!Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-39982700515999567312010-12-14T22:23:00.000-07:002010-12-14T22:23:54.148-07:00Best Craftshow In DenverFancy Tiger's Holiday Handmade 2010. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TQhNHn2Mt4I/AAAAAAAAAkk/Dq-9zAeT6dU/s1600/DSC02727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TQhNHn2Mt4I/AAAAAAAAAkk/Dq-9zAeT6dU/s400/DSC02727.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had a great time, sold a bunch, and have had a post craft show hangover for a week. </div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This was the first time I've ever done an 8 x 8 booth, and although it worked well, a few tweeks need to be done before next time. Like finding somewhere for me to be instead of hiding behind the champaign crate. I swear I scared a few people jumping out to say hi. Also, having some kind of check out station would be nice. Trying to write receipts, run credit cards on a knucklebuster, and count money in 10 square inches just doesn't work well. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TQhNOo7CieI/AAAAAAAAAks/8jOqP2dIZTo/s1600/DSC02730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TQhNOo7CieI/AAAAAAAAAks/8jOqP2dIZTo/s320/DSC02730.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was interesting to see what did and didn't sell this year. My pendants that almost sold out last year, didn't do so well this year. I sold more moleskines than last year, but hardly any pincushions went out the door this year. Maybe it was my pricing changes, maybe it was the fabrics used this year vs. last year. I've heard it said by craftshow veterans, every show is different. You just never know. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TQhNZCs7TUI/AAAAAAAAAk0/2U1vGttpYr8/s1600/DSC02733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TQhNZCs7TUI/AAAAAAAAAk0/2U1vGttpYr8/s320/DSC02733.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I do LOVE doing these shows. I love chatting with people, processing the transactions, seeing people's reactions (good and bad) to my products. It's fun. It makes me proud. And it wipes. me. out.Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-54613057666246730892010-11-24T21:46:00.000-07:002010-11-24T21:46:53.480-07:00The Christmas CrunchMy little ol' craft business <a href="http://www.quayandco.com/">Quay & Co.</a> will be participating in <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_308931549"></span>Holiday Handmade 2010<span id="goog_308931550"></span></a>!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TO3nwU3vjjI/AAAAAAAAAkA/4ZNn6KM9RWg/s1600/HolidayHandmade2010web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TO3nwU3vjjI/AAAAAAAAAkA/4ZNn6KM9RWg/s400/HolidayHandmade2010web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This is Denver's biggest alternative craft market, and let me tell you, there are some AWESOME crafters involved.<br />
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This is not your grandma's craft show.<br />
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Here's a sneak peek at some of the items I'm working on. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TO3oAq_1rZI/AAAAAAAAAkM/BHM-hr5-fO4/s1600/DSC02722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TO3oAq_1rZI/AAAAAAAAAkM/BHM-hr5-fO4/s200/DSC02722.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TO3n7v8TK9I/AAAAAAAAAkI/MahTV8rxTQg/s1600/DSC02718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TO3n7v8TK9I/AAAAAAAAAkI/MahTV8rxTQg/s200/DSC02718.JPG" width="132" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TO3n5B0NitI/AAAAAAAAAkE/bOTcEkiQADA/s1600/DSC02717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TO3n5B0NitI/AAAAAAAAAkE/bOTcEkiQADA/s200/DSC02717.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-61697826310093395232010-10-20T20:22:00.002-06:002010-12-30T07:57:03.244-07:00Singer Featherweight 221 Egyptian Scroll Faceplate - SOLD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TL-gcnrmVHI/AAAAAAAAAjg/ydpehag8ILs/s1600/DSC02693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TL-gcnrmVHI/AAAAAAAAAjg/ydpehag8ILs/s320/DSC02693.JPG" width="320" /> </a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TL-giv5peuI/AAAAAAAAAjk/BDwrLDJwxp4/s1600/DSC02695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TL-giv5peuI/AAAAAAAAAjk/BDwrLDJwxp4/s200/DSC02695.JPG" width="132" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Holycrap people. LOOK WHAT I FOUND AT GOODWILL!! Isn't she beautiful??<br />
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Best thrifted item. EVER.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I really need to give The Gardener Guy credit for finding this ol' gal. I was checking out another old sewing machine when he opened this non-descript case next to me. <br />
AND I HEARD THE ANGELS SING. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TL-gmhN9w4I/AAAAAAAAAjo/Y4uwFtAGREY/s1600/DSC02696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TL-gmhN9w4I/AAAAAAAAAjo/Y4uwFtAGREY/s200/DSC02696.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TL-grMEY6FI/AAAAAAAAAjs/09Q3CgMN3hI/s1600/DSC02699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TL-grMEY6FI/AAAAAAAAAjs/09Q3CgMN3hI/s200/DSC02699.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
She came with so many attachments, I don't even know what they do. Except for the buttonholer. And ruffler. Those are pretty obvious.<br />
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I did find a small problem. The bobbin case needs to be replaced. So I got on eBay. A new bobbin case will cost more than what I bought the whole machine for. Grrrrr. I was able to borrow one from my friend, so I know she sews, and does a bangin' job, but really, she's an old gal and could probably use a tune up. <br />
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But honestly, I didn't buy her to use her. I knew when I bought her that she would be an investment.<br />
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And so I offer her to you. Email me if you're interested, we can discuss details then. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TL-gukwVrVI/AAAAAAAAAjw/mffFmraGtDY/s1600/DSC02703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TL-gukwVrVI/AAAAAAAAAjw/mffFmraGtDY/s200/DSC02703.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TL-gxXBjX5I/AAAAAAAAAj0/7AWW0qKveQI/s1600/DSC02700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TL-gxXBjX5I/AAAAAAAAAj0/7AWW0qKveQI/s200/DSC02700.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
For now, just try looking at this beauty without drooling. I dare you.Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-48831338341117756552010-08-26T20:49:00.001-06:002010-08-26T20:51:35.065-06:00Dog Doo Compost Bin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
This summer we installed a new feature, though well hidden, in our backyard. Gardener Guy had seen on an HGTV show how to compost dog waste. Yep, that's right, good old fashion dog poop.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THcn6_aPWHI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/-KjgBJht_xU/s1600/DSC02614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THcn6_aPWHI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/-KjgBJht_xU/s200/DSC02614.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
We have a 3 yr old Golden Retriever named Dixie, and trust me, she puts out plenty of waste, and sizable for that matter. Okay sorry, TMI. Since Gardener Guy got tired of hearing me complain about the smelly bags waiting for trash day, he decided to try this method of disposing of the doo.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This is a great family activity to do on the weekend, it only took a couple of hours. And seriously, aren't all kids fascinated with doo?<br />
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**Don't worry, there are no pictures of the actual doo used to make this tutorial**<br />
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<u>Here's what you'll need:</u><br />
Plastic bin with a lid. We used an empty cat litter box with a flip top lid, but you could also use a 5 gallon bucket.<br />
Rocks. We used some lava rock that was on the side of the garage.<br />
Shovel.<br />
Drill with 1/2 inch drill bit.<br />
Utility knife or saw.<br />
Septic tank bacteria in powder form.<br />
Water.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THcj7dSDN5I/AAAAAAAAAiA/NCgq-EgbvIw/s1600/DSC02589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THcj7dSDN5I/AAAAAAAAAiA/NCgq-EgbvIw/s200/DSC02589.JPG" width="199" /></a></div><br />
Here's how you do it:<br />
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<u>Prepare the site.</u><br />
<ol><li>Dig a hole. We dug ours a little deeper than the depth of the container. We chose to put ours in the dog run as close to the property line as possible. *Read: As far away from the house as possible. </li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THcltOhtBvI/AAAAAAAAAjA/1oSSUs3fUhk/s1600/DSC02612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THcltOhtBvI/AAAAAAAAAjA/1oSSUs3fUhk/s200/DSC02612.JPG" width="199" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><u>Prepare the container.</u><br />
<ol><li>Cut the bottom off of plastic container.</li>
<li>Drill holes around sides of container. This is for drainage.</li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THcj93kEuoI/AAAAAAAAAiI/EFRBNbhuslI/s1600/DSC02592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THcj93kEuoI/AAAAAAAAAiI/EFRBNbhuslI/s200/DSC02592.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THckAZXFZAI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/4Bh41ABxQ4A/s1600/DSC02601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THckAZXFZAI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/4Bh41ABxQ4A/s200/DSC02601.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Now to put it all together.<br />
<ol><li>Insert plastic bin into the hole. Make sure the lid is above ground, but that everything else is below ground.</li>
<li>Put a couple of inches of rock in the bottom. Again, for drainage. </li>
<li>Fill in the hole so there is no space between the container and the ground. </li>
<li>Insert dog doo into container. </li>
<li>Sprinkle with bacteria powder.</li>
<li>Water well. And I mean well. </li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THckHdJ2FKI/AAAAAAAAAig/4_XsvwzjBt8/s1600/DSC02613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THckHdJ2FKI/AAAAAAAAAig/4_XsvwzjBt8/s200/DSC02613.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THckJhW-YXI/AAAAAAAAAio/7_qaG27yMVQ/s1600/DSC02614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THckJhW-YXI/AAAAAAAAAio/7_qaG27yMVQ/s200/DSC02614.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THcmOg7EA6I/AAAAAAAAAjI/_HceJkA9RvM/s1600/DSC02615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/THcmOg7EA6I/AAAAAAAAAjI/_HceJkA9RvM/s200/DSC02615.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Essentially, what you've just made is a mini septic tank. It won't hold water, but the bacteria will eat away the doo. You will need to rewater every day or so to make sure the bacteria can do it's job.<br />
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In hindsight, we probably dug our hole too deep and added too many rocks. We're having an issue with getting enough water to stay in the container to do what it should. Other than that, I love it.<br />
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The best thing is that it DOES NOT SMELL. It's underground, and covered so odors never escape.<br />
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Let me know if you decide to do this too, would love to hear how you like it.Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-13199444210631187072010-07-14T22:35:00.000-06:002010-07-14T22:35:01.596-06:00Indoor Box Turtle HabitatWe just built the COOLEST indoor habitat for our box turtle General Lee. And when I say "we", I mean Gardener Guy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TD6PRebc30I/AAAAAAAAAho/QoJEj-n3uUE/s1600/DSC02588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TD6PRebc30I/AAAAAAAAAho/QoJEj-n3uUE/s400/DSC02588.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Our friend gave General to us about 4 years ago, and at that time he was little. He was about the size of the top of a pop can. Yep, really little. Since then, he's about doubled his size. So now, he's roughly 4 inches if you measure his shell from head to tail.<br />
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General's been living in a glass fish tank that had a 12 X 24 footprint, and there wasn't much room for him to play. Do turtles play? We like to think they do, so we've been wanting to make him some kind of new home for a few years. I mean, if you think about it, they do need a few critical items in their habitat. <a href="http://www.anapsid.org/box.html">This website</a> had some great suggestions, although we didn't follow every rule they had. There had to be room for a water dish big enough for him to soak in, a feeding rock, and of course a cave of sorts, since they like to burrow and hide whenever possible.<br />
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As you can see, we've been able to provide all those necessities, and then some. We're thinking of installing a putting green. Or a race track.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TD6PMVyDKuI/AAAAAAAAAhg/KzzGU3QY4zQ/s1600/DSC02587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TD6PMVyDKuI/AAAAAAAAAhg/KzzGU3QY4zQ/s320/DSC02587.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Here's how we did it. Gardener Guy brought home some solid based pallets from work to use as the foundation, as well as for the walls.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li>He cut one pallet down to a 2ft x 3ft base and removed the slats of wood from another pallet to use for the walls. </li>
<li>He caulked the cracks between the boards in the base.</li>
<li>We bought a 12 inch plastic pot tray and cut a whole in the base big enough so that the tray slips right in, but doesn't fall through.</li>
<li>Then we covered the base in indoor/outdoor carpet for the floor. </li>
<li>He took the wood he had removed from the pallet, cut it into 11 inches long pieces and screwed it to the sides of the base to form the walls.</li>
<li>To stabilize the slats forming the walls, he took a few 2 x 1s and screwed them to the inside of the walls. These will also serve as a ledge to rest the frame of a screened lid when we get that built. </li>
</ul>Once we had the house built, it was time to decorate!<br />
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According to the vet, we should feed him on a stone so that his beak can get worn down naturally and we won't have to have it trimmed so often. He also needed a hidey hole, so we took another piece of flagstone and leaned it up in a corner, making a cave. Turtles should also have some sort of substrate in their habitat, so I bought some bark to lay down throughout the house. However, the thought of having to pick little turtle nuggets out of that bark made us rethink that plan. Instead, we just put the bark in his cave so he could burrow if he wants, and the nuggets will be easy to clean off of the indoor/outdoor carpet.<br />
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He's already taken the twenty five cent tour, and I think he's going to LOVE IT.<br />
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Next step: Making a screened lid so we can feed General crickets once in a while without the fear of them escaping and hiding behind the dresser, keeping us up all night with their song. We'll post those directions when we get it completed.Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-84909170143913693832010-07-11T21:02:00.002-06:002010-07-11T21:41:39.317-06:00The mother of all wasp nestsWhen you own a dog, chances are you'll own a dog house. During the summers, in our dog house, we tend to get a few little wasp nests that usually never amount to much. Until this year.<br />
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The Gardener Guy mentioned to me the other day that we should probably check Dixie's house for nests, just to make sure she's not in any harm. AS IF she even uses the house in the summer, but I digress.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TDqEWq5HmFI/AAAAAAAAAgw/HZAZ3ZBaSIw/s1600/DSC02582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TDqEWq5HmFI/AAAAAAAAAgw/HZAZ3ZBaSIw/s200/DSC02582.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TDqEeR_k6SI/AAAAAAAAAg4/p5m1r4f9g6Y/s1600/DSC02581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TDqEeR_k6SI/AAAAAAAAAg4/p5m1r4f9g6Y/s200/DSC02581.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
So we popped the lid on the house and WHOA BOY was there a wasp nest formin'!! I've never seen one this big EVER.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TDqEjdnINbI/AAAAAAAAAhA/RJTALj2efhM/s1600/DSC02580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TDqEjdnINbI/AAAAAAAAAhA/RJTALj2efhM/s200/DSC02580.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TDqEuSlPkOI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/RUyTHU7-nbw/s1600/DSC02579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TDqEuSlPkOI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/RUyTHU7-nbw/s200/DSC02579.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Well, what's a Gardener Guy to do but get out the heavy guns? Thank you Spectracide for making a spray that goes 27 feet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TDqEooqUn5I/AAAAAAAAAhI/abRCKuIYEc0/s1600/DSC02583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TDqEooqUn5I/AAAAAAAAAhI/abRCKuIYEc0/s200/DSC02583.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TDqE4ZjK91I/AAAAAAAAAhY/3BAMPWi5do0/s1600/DSC02585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TDqE4ZjK91I/AAAAAAAAAhY/3BAMPWi5do0/s200/DSC02585.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>I'm sure Dixie would thank you too if she could talk.Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-61660459917048402372010-06-18T13:04:00.000-06:002010-06-18T13:04:00.269-06:00How to hang a small quiltA <a href="http://calicoroad.blogspot.com/2010/04/photo-turned-into-wall-hanging.html">LONG TIME AGO</a> when posting this project, I thought it would be a good idea to share the way that I make a small quilt hang-able.<br />
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It's super easy, and I kind of feel like I'm cheating when I do this, but it works so well.<br />
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First, I make a sleeve by taking a 1 inch (or so, it doesn't have to be exact) piece of muslin and iron over the unfinished edges. I <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9kGyZDWZcA">whipstitch</a> it to the back of the quilt with one end closed, one end open.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TBr10ePQCjI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/jctiK0JIs5Y/s1600/DSC02422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TBr10ePQCjI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/jctiK0JIs5Y/s320/DSC02422.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Then I simply take a bamboo BBQ skewer (the big kind work best as they're more sturdy) or two, to fit the length of the quilt, and slide it/them into the sleeve.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TBr2C4vXk0I/AAAAAAAAAgY/bfLZ2gr4mww/s1600/DSC02421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TBr2C4vXk0I/AAAAAAAAAgY/bfLZ2gr4mww/s320/DSC02421.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Sew up the open end with a few more hand stitches.<br />
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To make a hanger for the quilt I just sew on a small washer right smack dab in the middle of the sleeve. I always make sure to sew it on low enough that it won't show when hung up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TBr2Nj5LWZI/AAAAAAAAAgg/saR0kmWGeKg/s1600/DSC02430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TBr2Nj5LWZI/AAAAAAAAAgg/saR0kmWGeKg/s320/DSC02430.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TBr2Zy-2XdI/AAAAAAAAAgo/ilPiflx5pMg/s1600/DSC02431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TBr2Zy-2XdI/AAAAAAAAAgo/ilPiflx5pMg/s320/DSC02431.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The skewers make the top edge of the quilt nice and stiff to ensure that your beautiful quilt will hang straight.<br />
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That's it. Piece of cake.Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-85481315303525317512010-06-17T22:04:00.000-06:002010-06-17T22:04:24.871-06:00Quilted Photo WallhangingHere is the finished product. Quilted and hung on the wall. I. LOVE. IT.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TBrwKyrQs7I/AAAAAAAAAgI/Cip51I8SZis/s1600/DSC02444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/TBrwKyrQs7I/AAAAAAAAAgI/Cip51I8SZis/s320/DSC02444.JPG" /></a></div>Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-48183546898886328952010-04-27T20:26:00.000-06:002010-04-27T20:26:54.202-06:00First Craft Show of the Year - Spring Fling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S9ecseqnq2I/AAAAAAAAAgE/9mfwWKvpfRY/s1600/DSC02504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S9ecseqnq2I/AAAAAAAAAgE/9mfwWKvpfRY/s320/DSC02504.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div>My first craft show of the year was last Saturday and man, did it get me in the mood for more! <br />
A few things happened at the show that really got me motivated. <br />
<ul><li>First, people actually bought my items. Sometimes I start getting worried that nobody will like my stuff and I'll go home penniless. I tend to be really hard on myself sometimes.</li>
<li>Second, I was told about//invited to 3 other BIG festivals or street markets. That was pretty sweet. Knowing that people think my items and booth would be good at another venue is extremely flattering.</li>
<li>Third, and frankly the icing on the cake......three people recognized my booth from <a href="http://calicoroad.blogspot.com/2009/11/where-ive-been.html">this</a> show I did before Christmas. Did you hear me? PEOPLE ARE RECOGNIZING ME!!! That's so cool. </li>
</ul>Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-62508285097606545652010-04-13T08:00:00.001-06:002010-04-13T08:00:01.753-06:00Upcoming Spring Craft Shows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8NmzaYsVMI/AAAAAAAAAf0/EdREE44gy7I/s1600/SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8NmzaYsVMI/AAAAAAAAAf0/EdREE44gy7I/s320/SF.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I've been busy with a capital B getting ready for a couple of upcoming craft shows. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">To be honest, the only reason I'm so busy is because I'm a total slacker. I've been procrastinating for way too long, and it just hit me the other day that I only have two weekends to work on stuff. Crap!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So.....this past weekend I ALMOST completed 12 jewelry/sewing pouches and 60 more pendants. That means that this week I'll have to bust my butt to finish those so I can work on Moleskines and pincushions next weekend. I'm tired already just thinking about it. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Wish me luck!Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-34440311742587876992010-04-12T09:28:00.002-06:002010-04-12T09:28:00.134-06:00Nature's Modern Art or White Trash Yard ArtWith Spring snow melting fast around here, we couldn't help but appreciate this.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8HrGiesUII/AAAAAAAAAfU/ZEBfo6QUl44/s1600/DSC02428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8HrGiesUII/AAAAAAAAAfU/ZEBfo6QUl44/s200/DSC02428.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8HrLKifcTI/AAAAAAAAAfc/qJ9pYtvvTJY/s1600/DSC02427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8HrLKifcTI/AAAAAAAAAfc/qJ9pYtvvTJY/s200/DSC02427.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8HrPcxPwCI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Atrc8AUvQeU/s1600/DSC02426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8HrPcxPwCI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Atrc8AUvQeU/s200/DSC02426.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mother Nature is so my people. Artistic with a sense of humor. Who knew? </div>Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-53569404997189818162010-04-11T21:25:00.001-06:002010-04-11T21:25:38.394-06:00Signs of Spring in CO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8KSb1rKcmI/AAAAAAAAAfs/GLGUKatLccw/s1600/save.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8KSb1rKcmI/AAAAAAAAAfs/GLGUKatLccw/s400/save.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div>Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-7653309861805354202010-04-11T09:26:00.000-06:002010-04-11T09:26:49.488-06:00The Pink Wallhanging - Completed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8HpjahAJTI/AAAAAAAAAfE/Cq9guUYr-rc/s1600/DSC02394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8HpjahAJTI/AAAAAAAAAfE/Cq9guUYr-rc/s320/DSC02394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I finally decided what to do with this project. I'm going to donate it to my son's school for a silent auction being held to send the Circus Arts club to Washington D.C. Sending talented kids to the nation's capitol seems like a way better idea than having this sit in my shop for who knows how long. Who doesn't love helping kids??<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8Hp0vXwGEI/AAAAAAAAAfM/O4qRYW0Kg8c/s1600/DSC02432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S8Hp0vXwGEI/AAAAAAAAAfM/O4qRYW0Kg8c/s320/DSC02432.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It was looking pretty plain jane, so in order to jazz it up and make it seem more relevant to the purpose of the auction, I added a few inspirational words. I hope it goes for lots of $$. These kids deserve it.Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-60415779626746833632010-04-07T19:54:00.000-06:002010-04-07T19:54:00.613-06:00Photo turned into a wall hanging<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;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S7012HcpDYI/AAAAAAAAAe0/Lij6yvImks4/s1600/DSC02448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S7012HcpDYI/AAAAAAAAAe0/Lij6yvImks4/s400/DSC02448.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Do you guys remember 1999? The year Prince - or whatever his name is these days - sang about? The year before Y2K? The year these totally awesome panoramic size photos were all the rage?</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was also the year before Gardener Guy and I got married. We went with his family to Lake Powell and stayed on a houseboat for a week. That was the <strike>first time</strike> only time I've ever done that and it was pretty damn fun. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My sister in law took this photo of us at some point in the trip, I don't remember when. It's now my favorite picture of us. I've always wanted to hang it up, but ironically it's kind of small. Too big for the picture table, but not quite big enough for a space on the wall. </div><br />
So, being the crafty chick I am, I decided to enlarge it and make it a quilted wall hanging. I was further inspired when I saw this post by <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/">Elizabeth</a> on <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=1398">Sew Mama Sew</a>. What an easy way to sew itty bitty pieces of fabric together! I had to try it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S702eZlE40I/AAAAAAAAAe8/oIOLzIFXh9Y/s1600/DSC02416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S702eZlE40I/AAAAAAAAAe8/oIOLzIFXh9Y/s320/DSC02416.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> It worked okay, but I think I need practice. That interfacing is kind of stretchy, especially when you start sewing all the rows. Some of my seams are a little arched, so don't look too close. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">While I was trying new things in my quilting, I thought I'd give "thread painting" a shot. I wanted the clouds to be light and barely there, like in the photo. I didn't want to fuse some glaring white (or even off white) fabric onto my beautiful sky. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S70ysRvJoRI/AAAAAAAAAes/ODrxsYgJloE/s1600/DSC02420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S70ysRvJoRI/AAAAAAAAAes/ODrxsYgJloE/s320/DSC02420.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm not sure I pulled it off. From a distance, you don't even see the clouds. I don't think white thread was the best thing to use. Maybe the thread painting works better with a bunch of different colors, instead of just one.</div><br />
I feel like this post has gotten kind of wordy, so I'll save my super easy way of hanging it for another time.<br />
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Oh! While I was tooling around the blogosphere the other day, I came across another photo turned into a wallhanging over at <a href="http://upstatelisa.blogspot.com/2010/03/enjoying-moment.html">Upstatelisa</a>. Go check it out, it's gorgeous!!Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-4583393842709210662010-03-19T11:26:00.000-06:002010-03-19T11:26:07.996-06:00Look what i got - FOR FREE!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S6OzLxBsJaI/AAAAAAAAAeU/eDjWua4iuf0/s1600-h/DSC02417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S6OzLxBsJaI/AAAAAAAAAeU/eDjWua4iuf0/s1600-h/DSC02417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S6OzLxBsJaI/AAAAAAAAAeU/eDjWua4iuf0/s1600-h/DSC02417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S6OzLxBsJaI/AAAAAAAAAeU/eDjWua4iuf0/s1600-h/DSC02417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S6OzLxBsJaI/AAAAAAAAAeU/eDjWua4iuf0/s320/DSC02417.JPG" /></a></div>I got this beauty from a lady on <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/">Freecycle</a>. I'm feeling extra lucky, maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket!Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-12873196511566092582010-03-11T10:37:00.001-07:002010-03-11T16:52:35.002-07:00That was easy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S5kmM4Pb8oI/AAAAAAAAAd0/QcWBTc3gEe4/s1600-h/DSC02394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S5kmM4Pb8oI/AAAAAAAAAd0/QcWBTc3gEe4/s320/DSC02394.JPG" /></a></div>While cleaning up a little in the craft room, I came across three leftover blocks from a quilt I made a couple years ago. This seems to happen all the time. I can't bear to throw them away, but I don't want to take the time RIGHT NOW to decide what to do with them. Does this happen to you?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S5kmSX1LfxI/AAAAAAAAAd8/CDJgDfc-x1s/s1600-h/DSC02395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S5kmSX1LfxI/AAAAAAAAAd8/CDJgDfc-x1s/s320/DSC02395.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Since I try to stay focused on <strike>dreaming</strike> cleaning, I always put these orphan blocks in a drawer, or a pile, to save them for when I'm ready. Well, that drawer is getting full, so I figured I'd use these 3 blocks to make a little quilt RIGHT NOW.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S5kmahWcv7I/AAAAAAAAAeE/C0v-NYQtK5g/s1600-h/DSC02396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S5kmahWcv7I/AAAAAAAAAeE/C0v-NYQtK5g/s320/DSC02396.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I put this whole thing together in one day. ONE.DAY. That is a record for me, even though this little thing is only 10 x 23. The reason I sound so shocked is that I rarely can stay focused long enough to complete <i>anything</i> in one day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S5kmfkZ_MCI/AAAAAAAAAeM/VU0khgdfPKc/s1600-h/DSC02397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S5kmfkZ_MCI/AAAAAAAAAeM/VU0khgdfPKc/s320/DSC02397.JPG" /></a></div>I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet. Maybe put it in <a href="http://quayandco.etsy.com/">my shop</a>, maybe donate it for an upcoming fundraiser at my son's school. Hmmmmmmmm.Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-66988327927037589752010-03-10T20:09:00.005-07:002010-03-10T20:25:31.256-07:00The gloves came offIt occurred to me the other day that I may need a new pair of quilting gloves.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S5hgWHUWBRI/AAAAAAAAAdk/GIr61xbdVlg/s1600-h/DSC02391.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S5hgWHUWBRI/AAAAAAAAAdk/GIr61xbdVlg/s200/DSC02391.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447209682342380818" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S5hgfCiFeSI/AAAAAAAAAds/25iFgr2PbQM/s1600-h/DSC02392.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S5hgfCiFeSI/AAAAAAAAAds/25iFgr2PbQM/s200/DSC02392.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447209835676662050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Me: Honey look, I think I need a new pair of gloves.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Him: Well it's about time you wore through a pair of gloves around here.</span><br /><br />And then the gloves came off...Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-14337591570771459622010-03-04T09:04:00.004-07:002010-03-04T09:35:35.192-07:00I think I can, I think I canI've started the quilting on the one <a href="http://calicoroad.blogspot.com/2010/02/just-for-me.html">just for me</a> and it is looking awesome! <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >if i do say so myself</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S4_bll3AZcI/AAAAAAAAAdc/_6PB4Okbx1g/s1600-h/Red+Brown+Quilt+Mosaic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S4_bll3AZcI/AAAAAAAAAdc/_6PB4Okbx1g/s400/Red+Brown+Quilt+Mosaic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444811913378686402" border="0" /></a><br />There are 12 blocks in this quilt, and they all came from the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/sewconnected3/">SewConnected 3</a> group I'm in. I needed to make the quilt a little bigger, so I put picture frames around each block in white and dark brown.<br /><br />Initially, I was going to stipple the center blocks and do straight lines on the frames, but then I thought, <span style="font-style: italic;">What the heck? This is MY quilt, I'm going to practice some of the fun quilting patterns I've seen online!</span> So I did. :)<br /><br />You'll notice there is a duplicate picture in the mosaic above. That's because I had already stippled two blocks before I decided to change things up.<br /><br />The straight lines around the frames are the ones that are killing me. They look awesome, but honestly, my body is so freakin' tired of shoving all this fabric through the machine on each turn of the needle. I'll have to mentally make a note to myself about that for the future. I actually found myself thinking of the train going up the mountain while I was doing the squares. Of course I haven't been doing my Wii Fit for WEEKS so, maybe I could consider this quilt my workout.<br /><br />Now that I've taken a break from it, I'm having a hard time starting again. Does this happen to you? It just makes me freeze in my tracks to think of wrestling all that fabric again. My new mantra will be <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">I think I can, I think I can....</span>Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-46975377590270671002010-02-27T19:20:00.007-07:002010-02-27T19:42:53.693-07:00Why I love the Grocery GameHave you folks heard of the <a href="http://www.thegrocerygame.com/">Grocery Game</a>? It's this awesome website that makes shopping with coupons so much easier than the way I used to do it.<br /><br />Instead of taking <span style="font-style: italic;">way too much time</span> to flip through the weekly flyers that come in the paper, and comparing them to the coupons I just spent <span style="font-style: italic;">hours</span> cutting out, this website does all that for you.<br /><br />I. LOVE. IT. And I've been doing it for years. However, since I'm recently *ahem* <span style="font-style: italic;">self-employed</span> I really have to make our dollars stretch like never before.<br /><br />I wanted to share with you some examples of our most recent trips to the grocery store.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S4nUf3U1OKI/AAAAAAAAAc8/J19IjIMVoSI/s1600-h/DSC02369.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 82px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S4nUf3U1OKI/AAAAAAAAAc8/J19IjIMVoSI/s320/DSC02369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443115268546312354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S4nU_5qpHII/AAAAAAAAAdE/_qgV8IrgHqY/s1600-h/DSC02371.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 137px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S4nU_5qpHII/AAAAAAAAAdE/_qgV8IrgHqY/s320/DSC02371.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443115818930478210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And just last week, I beat the previous trip's savings with this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S4nVScqtZYI/AAAAAAAAAdM/nsiE3WRW3GY/s1600-h/DSC02368.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 113px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S4nVScqtZYI/AAAAAAAAAdM/nsiE3WRW3GY/s320/DSC02368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443116137563645314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S4nVdpQsC2I/AAAAAAAAAdU/Bk0GELCWx2Q/s1600-h/DSC02370.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S4nVdpQsC2I/AAAAAAAAAdU/Bk0GELCWx2Q/s320/DSC02370.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443116329922726754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The site does charge you to be a member, but it's only $10 every 8 weeks, so I feel it's totally justified. Plus, if you just want to try it for a bit before you sign up, you can get a four week trial membership for only a dollar.<br /><br />Also, if you refer a friend, you get free weeks toward your subscription! So if you do decide to join, make sure to give them my address jjkj6640@msn.com.<br /><br />Let's start saving some money!!Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929847886490948308.post-28714551365260072212010-02-22T10:06:00.003-07:002010-02-22T10:13:11.223-07:00I always knew it...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.truevaluepaint.com/content/Color/ColorQuiz.aspx"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 81px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CWXYvLSWr9g/S4K59owUD-I/AAAAAAAAAc0/Pu855ZpLdrw/s320/color-quiz.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441115768380198882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My color personality is <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">RED</span>!!<br /><br />True Value has this fun little quiz on their site and I just couldn't resist. Here's what the magic color quiz had to say about me:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><blockquote>You boast incredible willpower and are capable of overcoming obstacles that would normally leave others shaking in their boots. You have a penchant for colorful environments and often impress others with your energetic bursts of energy. Your interests in many areas of life often leave you scattered, but when you focus you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.<br /></blockquote></blockquote></div><br />Mostly accurate, although I wish I were really that cool.<br /><br />What is your color personality?Calico Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426070499072139312noreply@blogger.com1