tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86903180250439963392024-03-05T05:51:19.789-05:00Tough Love KnittersFollow Mollie's adventures in knitting! Patterns, projects, pictures, and the funny things that happen when she's got knitting on the brain.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-39493306772774753702020-03-25T10:49:00.000-04:002020-03-25T16:59:51.538-04:00Spinning Out<h2>
Control vs Letting Go</h2>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Staybusy-relax-cleansomething-don'tworry-workfromhome-taketime-bevigilant-havefaith-homeschool-havefun-takeitseriously-don'tpanic-stockup-dowithout-sewmasks-fuckthegoverment-offthegrid-zoomeverything ...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFKbKZ8aU98R7KTnQo8cN9rq4p0EW9XMdpU57kr5L5VvDZ4WK0oZD_ZRw1b0LcIuZwuqtkOkIU5BHRCbv6kJ5bbQDLJ-dcNO6-T9b0Dc4zDzy2F644W9rA4QVrxA3DheJ2BG27LVcYOc/s1600/gaylespin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="713" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFKbKZ8aU98R7KTnQo8cN9rq4p0EW9XMdpU57kr5L5VvDZ4WK0oZD_ZRw1b0LcIuZwuqtkOkIU5BHRCbv6kJ5bbQDLJ-dcNO6-T9b0Dc4zDzy2F644W9rA4QVrxA3DheJ2BG27LVcYOc/s640/gaylespin.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-28077080788442006422020-03-19T09:17:00.000-04:002020-03-19T09:17:18.355-04:00Coronavirus self-isolation, day 6meme day<br />
<br />
Introverts be like ...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_DuWjSTwLTxAlJhGzHFyjaUFDvj4JF9EEEq7GicT_nPd2_L2Hl5GrxBJwTCQKArSDKio5PpdfVSPFA7LI2H_GRHo91pwpcV4EDzb-xjpoIQjX9719UbaS1pqMBGZ8bvdc7HjdF8dnX8/s1600/Readyforthis.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="718" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_DuWjSTwLTxAlJhGzHFyjaUFDvj4JF9EEEq7GicT_nPd2_L2Hl5GrxBJwTCQKArSDKio5PpdfVSPFA7LI2H_GRHo91pwpcV4EDzb-xjpoIQjX9719UbaS1pqMBGZ8bvdc7HjdF8dnX8/s640/Readyforthis.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-87560523635251352832018-07-09T16:58:00.003-04:002018-07-09T16:58:51.452-04:00Kicking ass and shaving heads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHd8nzBTZKjWuxy6dCrUxgg7sKapxss1W1jCrvBKaYRV2pkekVaWKXz1DtOhjU7cdv8zqESGHPpilPBQU8t6XNW2GxKb17mUzUe_O0B-RiVLbySGk-j7qLKOpDTUUQYXUxZi9gd8L5kM/s1600/gijane.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="768" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHd8nzBTZKjWuxy6dCrUxgg7sKapxss1W1jCrvBKaYRV2pkekVaWKXz1DtOhjU7cdv8zqESGHPpilPBQU8t6XNW2GxKb17mUzUe_O0B-RiVLbySGk-j7qLKOpDTUUQYXUxZi9gd8L5kM/s640/gijane.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-27633134910293753302018-04-06T19:55:00.000-04:002018-04-08T19:55:58.885-04:00Breakfast DateI had a sunrise breakfast date with my husband. It was very romantic.
<br />
<br />
I mean, it was at a rest stop on the highway on the way to Dana-Farber, but still nice.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-79474243449356566942018-04-04T22:02:00.001-04:002018-04-08T19:55:31.507-04:00But I’m not sickI don't look sick. I don't feel sick. But I can't concentrate or get anything done. I'm snapping at the boys, and staring off into space. I sat in the car today while the baby slept for an hour and a half. Normally I would find some work to do, and revel in the extended streak of quiet. But today I just sat there.
<br />
<br />
I don't even want to play with my excel spreadsheets.
<br />
<br />
I don't want to knit. I don't want to read. I don't even want to eat my feelings. I'm numb right now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-50251965323645314982018-04-04T10:40:00.001-04:002018-04-04T10:40:26.353-04:00But I have a toddlerWhat am I supposed to do with this child? He's two. I work from home. He's with me 24 hours a day.<br />
<br />
I asked the Nurse Navigator if they had a program where a volunteer could watch him if I had to bring him to an appointment. Bless her, she tried to hide the fact that no one has ever asked her that before.<br />
<br />
One hospital is near my parents. One hospital is near my friends. One hospital is near none of them. Should't I be choosing the doctors and hospitals based on where the best treatments would be, not on where I can find a babysitter?<br />
<br />
I can't wait to call the local support center and ask if I can bring my baby to fucking healing imagery painting class.<br />
<br />
Also fucking healing imagery painting. What the fuck is that?<br />
<br />
My husband said that it would make the old ladies feel right at home, because it's like the class at the nursing home. Great. How about "power-networking for cancer patients"? "Managing Chemo on MCAS testing day"? "Mama needs a drink, and other things you're not allowed to have anymore"?<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm still in the angry phase, clearly.<br />
<br />
<br />
Last night I searched "breast cancer with young children". Every hit was how to talk to kids about cancer. That's not what I want. I want how to deal with the practical. How do I change his diaper if I'm not supposed to lift him? How do I keep up with them if I'm hurting?<br />
<br />
<br />
I know I know, people will help. If I ask, people will help. But how do I ask someone else to mother my children, when I don't know how long this will last?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-32145636251249508392018-04-01T10:50:00.001-04:002018-04-01T11:38:16.909-04:00The Club<div dir="ltr">
It's like I've been inducted into a club, but not actually as a full-fledged member, cause I don't actually want to be in the club. They have these pink ribbons and are proud and brave. And I'm over here like "No, I don't want to be in your stupid club. I don't want to wear the ribbon. I am not brave, and I am not a fighter, and part of me does not want to kick cancer's ass, it wants to hide in bed and cry."<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3iV8X8ubGCc" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/does-cancer-make-you-strong/">https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/does-cancer-make-you-strong/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The hospital sent paperwork in the mail yesterday for my appointment tomorrow. I'm irrationally mad about it. If I fill out the paperwork, I'm a cancer patient. I go from being just someone with some appointments, to a cancer patient. Cancer patients are bald and dying. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At least on TV.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's all I know about this. What I've learned on Grey's Anatomy. And that's not really helping.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVAU2rjEoa48MpmoBH8NBEbzkRVe7bX7nWCyTIzMEWlOlY-SSZnUZwkUVFe8p-TvsIVL1R2pPzI9T7LvAlvrkRAc7HIi3ziK79jJosVuoWjSoUU2jsRdyCqcc5OsrZXwVC3Dmn9R8OKg/s1600/image-794893.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6539491845830817122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVAU2rjEoa48MpmoBH8NBEbzkRVe7bX7nWCyTIzMEWlOlY-SSZnUZwkUVFe8p-TvsIVL1R2pPzI9T7LvAlvrkRAc7HIi3ziK79jJosVuoWjSoUU2jsRdyCqcc5OsrZXwVC3Dmn9R8OKg/s320/image-794893.png" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-40131658084368433802018-03-31T21:07:00.002-04:002018-03-31T21:07:59.190-04:00Well, it appears I have cancerThe title seems a bit flippant for the subject matter, but I've said it so many times today, it's starting to lose meaning.<br />
<br />
Short story (longer one to come later, supposedly): lump, +2weeks, same lump, midwive, "huh. Yeah, but it's probably nothing", mammogram, "yep, there it is. But it's probably nothing", ultrasound, "Yep, there it is. It's solid, which is a surprise, but it's probably nothing", biopsy, "yep, there's goop in there, so it's probably a dilated milk duct, probably nothing", call from midwive, "We all thought it was nothing, but it's invasive ductal carcinoma".<br />
<br />
Fuck.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-76262261605615868072018-02-01T14:33:00.001-05:002018-02-01T14:33:11.500-05:00When life gives you coconutsI now describe my life in Disney memes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPSpmG2hxSgbUhLeotJy9eXsEjjXTbw7Dn4ESeSAze1pcZ7hclNYLYcOGfqP4FoLmqyfYXgmCqfHN5NEqY0sPHA4VJBV5EMirvjp7hSqWXHKszFbOJbZQ_IJNsJs6LTiinPQsOQwrARE/s1600/YepIdidthat.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="moana gif yep i did that" border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="1126" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPSpmG2hxSgbUhLeotJy9eXsEjjXTbw7Dn4ESeSAze1pcZ7hclNYLYcOGfqP4FoLmqyfYXgmCqfHN5NEqY0sPHA4VJBV5EMirvjp7hSqWXHKszFbOJbZQ_IJNsJs6LTiinPQsOQwrARE/s640/YepIdidthat.gif" title="moana gif yep i did that" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-7130804686710002932017-11-30T20:07:00.000-05:002017-11-30T20:07:06.640-05:00Stranger Things SchoolHow I feel closing up the Village Closet at night.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8y6UYqQa36HvSMDkLnSPbDicblofU81qojE4WjUqRW_uDoSp8phRaeWEN-XmVMYYVULww_i5NiM0i5O4ESLGGCyjARuT_yZpluPwQVsvv1eiuXwcDL2gyLNVdqXtcbfM4loLUIvPehRc/s1600/strangerthingsschool.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="stranger things school upside down running" border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="703" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8y6UYqQa36HvSMDkLnSPbDicblofU81qojE4WjUqRW_uDoSp8phRaeWEN-XmVMYYVULww_i5NiM0i5O4ESLGGCyjARuT_yZpluPwQVsvv1eiuXwcDL2gyLNVdqXtcbfM4loLUIvPehRc/s1600/strangerthingsschool.gif" title="stranger things school upside down running" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1922200993"></span><span id="goog_1922200994"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-8341060851648978292017-09-20T14:37:00.003-04:002017-09-20T14:37:45.634-04:00My parenting philosophy ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsgl_E_nPuMn6Q0X82hcifbycquujd9MSxsKapfUNfv8UodwBB7blGCZF9IooSkZJAMXyJhhvut7EXNlniQOHxB4TOxmYbqCW2789026GnE9qY41Hw3qGjMe2n1vWJeLLFwuVBePrP0Q/s1600/highness.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="big bang theory if it pleases your highness gif" border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="579" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsgl_E_nPuMn6Q0X82hcifbycquujd9MSxsKapfUNfv8UodwBB7blGCZF9IooSkZJAMXyJhhvut7EXNlniQOHxB4TOxmYbqCW2789026GnE9qY41Hw3qGjMe2n1vWJeLLFwuVBePrP0Q/s400/highness.gif" title="big bang theory if it pleases your highness gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-42514629258441443562017-04-12T19:16:00.000-04:002017-04-12T19:16:06.292-04:00Sister the Suffragette BearYou may have noticed that the last post on this blog was about being pregnant and hormonal and crazy. Well, that has resolved itself, in the form of Baby Calvin, who is now about 13 months old and sleeping slightly more like a human being. That sleep has allowed a tiny bit more knitting, just in time for another little baby's birthday bear.<br />
<br />
(Past Birthday Bears)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/4321212612/in/album-72157623199778389/" nbsp="" title="Knitted Bear (1)"><img alt="Knitted Bear (1)" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4021/4321212612_aa1ef5ed09_b.jpg" width="212" /></a> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/5587494264/in/album-72157623199778389/" nbsp="" title="Caleb's Bear (6)"><img alt="Caleb's Bear (6)" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5222/5587494264_eaac9a3172_b.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/9539799168/in/album-72157623199778389/" nbsp="" title="Eleanor's Bear - Ballerina (17)"><img alt="Eleanor's Bear - Ballerina (17)" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7365/9539799168_e47714a7a1_b.jpg" width="213" /></a> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16695624798/in/album-72157623199778389/" nbsp="" title="Malcolm's Firefly Bear"><img alt="Malcolm's Firefly Bear" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7608/16695624798_8555e85db3_b.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Baby Maeve turned one this week. As is my tradition, she gets a bear. And of course since plain bears are BOring, I needed to dress it up properly. Maeve's mom made about a bajillion pussy hats leading up to the Women's March in January, so my first thought was a tiny hat for the bear. But why stop there? I was a little disappointed when baby #2 turned out to be a boy, because I knew I would never get to raise a tiny suffragette. Well, Auntie Mollie is not going to let that stop her, and it's about time Baby Maeve learned a thing or two about patriarchy ... and pantsuits.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/33845058182/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Hillary"><img alt="Hillary" height="297" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2937/33845058182_5381c4726a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />
Introducing Sister the Suffragette Bear, complete with Pussy Hat, a Hillary Clinton pantsuit, and a Votes for Women protest sash.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/33159462604/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Suffragette Bear (3)"><img alt="Suffragette Bear (3)" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2812/33159462604_df9b5e7c26_b.jpg" width="457" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/33159461094/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Suffragette Bear (7)"><img alt="Suffragette Bear (7)" height="268" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3936/33159461094_4b707a26c0_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/34002885735/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Suffragette Bear (4)"><img alt="Suffragette Bear (4)" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3950/34002885735_cbbd71a00f_b.jpg" width="265" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/34002884705/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Suffragette Bear (6)"><img alt="Suffragette Bear (6)" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3947/34002884705_d032720763_b.jpg" width="266" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/33159458954/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Suffragette Bear (12)"><img alt="Suffragette Bear (12)" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3946/33159458954_79294a4e30_b.jpg" width="280" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/33159459714/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Suffragette Bear (10)"><img alt="Suffragette Bear (10)" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2853/33159459714_bce3488b26_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
For new visitors, these bears are from the "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Best-Dressed-Knitted-Bear-Patterns-Accessories/dp/0307453820" target="_blank">Best Dressed Knitted Bear</a>" by Emma King.<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Best-Dressed-Knitted-Bear-Patterns-Accessories/dp/0307453820" target="_blank"><img alt="Image result for best dressed knitted bear" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51k2%2BttsGaL.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-27891733577973820842016-02-23T14:58:00.002-05:002016-02-23T14:58:44.265-05:00Sort of done with this whole pregnancy thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWFw8L4KXO3q2cFxRlMh3cT8UNvu5n1Fhyphenhyphen1lxGO7HFGw32cfh-2SY3thPUpBi0AnOzdTsuSyvXvzceaiMFRhIbbZHrOrEDpR4XSF2np086_gldMuTY-mqsSugDud2pumWwyjw0PKybX4/s1600/phoebe2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWFw8L4KXO3q2cFxRlMh3cT8UNvu5n1Fhyphenhyphen1lxGO7HFGw32cfh-2SY3thPUpBi0AnOzdTsuSyvXvzceaiMFRhIbbZHrOrEDpR4XSF2np086_gldMuTY-mqsSugDud2pumWwyjw0PKybX4/s320/phoebe2.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-62796216733477947592016-02-03T21:04:00.002-05:002016-02-03T21:04:56.285-05:00Cloth Diaper Burp ClothsSo, um, I've been a little busy lately.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/1508097_10153218536948543_4287551577579073005_n.jpg?oh=94eeaa50c5feeffda172adbb62e768e6&oe=573990B3" width="266" /></div>
<br />
Aside from growing a human being, I've been working hard at ALL my other jobs, one of which is with a <a href="http://www.hilltownvillage.org/" target="_blank">non-profit that provides free postpartum support for families in the Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts</a>. One of our services is the Village Closet, a donation site for baby items -- clothes, car-seats, swings, toys, diapers, anything you could need. We have a whole WALL of cloth diapers. One of our volunteers spent the day sorting through and organizing all of them, and left us with a bag of "un-suitable" pre-folds -- they are worn out and torn up. She said they might be good for "a craft project", so of course I couldn't throw them out.<br />
<br />
Pinterest has plenty of ideas for how to use cloth diaper as burp cloths, but most of them involve purchasing new "cloth diapers" at Target and sewing on a nice border or panel.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Burb rags from cloth diapers tutorial - my kids will be able to have a fancy koosh!: " height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/d6/77/28/d677283592ee9096c3d60a8cdb1399eb.jpg" width="213" /> <img alt="Fancy Burp Rags. Pinned for BabyBump, the #1 mobile pregnancy tracker with the built-in community for support and sharing.: " src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/78/da/fc/78dafc5eb660a17d751fb735a356334d.jpg" /></div>
<br />
The ones I have are not really nice enough to be saved by a simple border -- they need to be covered up completely. But since they're actual cloth diapers (not the fake ones from Target), even torn up they should be pretty absorbent.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/24777801366/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="junkydiaper"><img alt="junkydiaper" height="266" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1645/24777801366_55ebab3b1c_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />
I had some leftover fabric from another project, so I played around and found a really easy, but very slick-looking way to cover up the diapers and make some nice, big, absorbent burp cloths/changing pads/lap pads.<br />
<br />
<b>Materials</b>:<br />
<ul>
<li>a real* prefold cloth diaper -- about 12x18". The idea here is you're using an old junky one that's been washed and washed, so it's not going to shrink any more. *The ones from target are fine, but won't be as absorbent as real ones.</li>
<li>2x pieces of Cotton Fabric, 16x24" - one solid color, and one either complementary solid color or patterned. If your diapers are a different size, I just cut the fabric 2" more on each side, and 4" more on the top and bottom than the size of the diaper.</li>
<li>Matching/Contrasting colored thread</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Other:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Pins</li>
<li>Iron</li>
<li>Ruler and/or cutting mat</li>
<li>Rotary Cutter or scissors</li>
<li>Pencil</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b>Instructions:</b><br />
<br />
Wash, dry, and iron fabric, and iron the diaper as flat as possible.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/24436390669/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Iron"><img alt="Iron" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1589/24436390669_f4f1b2aa45_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />
Cut fabric into 16x24" rectangles.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/24177185333/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="cut"><img alt="cut" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1667/24177185333_a618a46219_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />
On the RIGHT side (as opposed to the WRONG side) of one of the rectangles, use a pencil or chalk and draw two straight lines down at 6" from each side.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/24508517470/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="lines"><img alt="lines" height="434" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1471/24508517470_b913d7a150_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />
Place one piece of fabric right side down, and place diaper in the middle of it. Try to center it as much as possible -- 2" from each side, and 3-4" from top and bottom. Place the other piece of fabric right side up on top and pin all three pieces together.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/24436392229/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="center"><img alt="center" height="465" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1713/24436392229_5cef23a834_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />
Starting at about 1" down from the top of the diaper, sew a line down each penciled line, ending about 1" before the bottom of the diaper.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/24804053845/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="middle lines"><img alt="middle lines" height="428" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1676/24804053845_465d70f872_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />
With Solid side up, fold sides in and over and pin to create a 1" hem. Sew down sides, starting at about 1" down from the top of the diaper and ending about 1" before the bottom of the diaper.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/24804062605/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="edges"><img alt="edges" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1705/24804062605_748061d430_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />
With Solid side up, fold top and bottom in and over and pin to create a 2" hem. You may have to trim some of the excess fabric to get it so lie flat. Following the lines from the edge hem, sew around the top and bottom hems.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/24686217552/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="top"><img alt="top" height="414" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1570/24686217552_03b28599a3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/24777797036/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="top stitich"><img alt="top stitich" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1565/24777797036_3c8a168346_z.jpg" width="502" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />
Trim threads, and gift to a new mama who has NO IDEA how many times she's about to puked on. Machine Wash and Dry.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/24804065645/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="finished_front"><img alt="finished_front" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1556/24804065645_de9fc8232d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/24686220712/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="finished_back"><img alt="finished_back" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1625/24686220712_a4c1d30959_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-57698032182291633982015-04-06T22:26:00.000-04:002015-04-06T22:26:11.630-04:002014, In Review<i>Fun Fact: I took 4,150 photos and videos in 2014. Here are just a few.</i><br />
<br />
January<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11781432024" title="044 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="044" height="289" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/11781432024_a982cc2c94.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
We started the new year in our new apartment in Northampton, having moved from Queens just a few weeks before. To my credit, there were only a few boxes still around, but Christmas had made the apartment a little hectic.<br />
<br />
I had spent New Year's Eve with the Flu, but we still got our beans in.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11781806316" title="045 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="045" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/11781806316_4ab3055106.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
My new full-time job was being mama, so I spent my time trying to figure out fun things for the child (and not watching TOO much Netflix).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11781364043" title="062 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="062" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/11781364043_7eb2c21e56.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11781726454" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/11781726454_fde5c55d7f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11780650303" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/11780650303_5ff39bfa4b.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11780401115" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/11780401115_73614d264b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/12423922554" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/12423922554_5f43eac5ba.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" data="https://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf" height="225" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"><param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-US&photo_secret=35cf92dbe2&photo_id=11807002804"></param>
<param name="movie" value="https://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf"></param>
<param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-US&photo_secret=35cf92dbe2&photo_id=11807002804" width="400" height="225"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11819051366" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/11819051366_d729b4943f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11933568976" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2860/11933568976_04ce29990c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We had people over for birthday dinner and Pineapple Upside Down Cake!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11781171406" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3814/11781171406_9f361c95d4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
January also saw my first <a href="http://etsy.com/shop/toughloveknitters" target="_blank">Etsy sale</a>!!! I put up Rowan's Pigeon Hat, and by the end of 2014, I had sold about 20 of them!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11786178565" title="Pigeon Hat by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Pigeon Hat" height="333" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2846/11786178565_a789695ede.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Even though it was winter, we started riding our bike's a lot!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11946698195" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="241" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/11946698195_51b4bb5d15.jpg" width="345" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11937117523" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/11937117523_68bb41116d.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/11980707444" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/11980707444_cc76d3fb2f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/12139474033" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/12139474033_7f6258c5c4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I also started marketing for my <a href="http://craftedbirth.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Childbirth Ed classes</a>!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/12201507873" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/12201507873_005f895fa4.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">February</span><br />
<br />
Elephant and Piggie at the Eric Carle Museum.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/12367446995" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/12367446995_8e1ab09c66.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
And Ro starts his college search.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/12368339594" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/12368339594_9404d35161.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
And I finished my last requirements for my Childbirth Ed certification!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/12368491654" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/12368491654_9204e41023.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13341489583" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2860/13341489583_b945444b95.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
Gramma Rita Chamberland died in early February, and after someone came to the funeral with H1N1 Flu, the rest of the Chamberland clan was sick for days. I think the total infected as 25, including Chris and Rowan. I was oddly thankful that I had had it over New Year's, so I could take care of my boys.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/12503929535" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/12503929535_be6753c9b4.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/12504063523" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/12504063523_5391223570.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Did I mention that since the year had begun, it had not stopped snowing?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/12522599834" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/12522599834_c60bc2158d.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13058558385" title="Snow 2014 (7) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Snow 2014 (7)" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/13058558385_36ca9339a9.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/12549131265" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/12549131265_673eac4c4d.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
Rowan discovered how to take Selfies.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16021863828" title="rowan_selfies by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="rowan_selfies" height="215" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8642/16021863828_9fb2a707f0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">March</span><br />
<br />
Ro and I visited the city to see friends and grab a few things still at the apartment.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13020107013" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3073/13020107013_b3c7658a1c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13020099515" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/13020099515_9e9b62a7c7.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13020589543" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2338/13020589543_9937d224f1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had one last meal on the floor in the living room ... which is actually how we had our first meal there too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13020814484" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2534/13020814484_85a3e2c349.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
And then we slept on an air mattress with a hole in it.<br />
<br />
And we got to see Emily and Zoe and Rafael!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13020797713" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2414/13020797713_00e3bc62d0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Emily came to visit!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13342598954" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/13342598954_123c6f6abb.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16209397475" title="emily by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="emily" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7482/16209397475_bee11470b4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Then I had an In-Reel-Life meetup with some of the ladies from Attached Parents at Work in Boston.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13394335755" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3772/13394335755_d806c31d71.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16023585097" title="APW by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="APW" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8654/16023585097_4f9e6ea0bf.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Then remember that time baby malcolm was born 5 weeks early and I missed it by about 30 seconds?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13478493293" title="doula batman by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="doula batman" height="336" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/13478493293_eef8091458.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13474062744" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5132/13474062744_e9b9da5bbd.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Resurrected the annual Easter Egg Party (without Kerri of course).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13519784575" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5110/13519784575_e8b4bde858.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13520410924" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/13520410924_8ee88a9d71.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13520841764" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/13520841764_a7e8f365a3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">April</span><br />
<br />
Rowan turned three years old!!!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16023445409" title="4 years old by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="4 years old" height="187" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/16023445409_a25c45f088.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
We had a Pigeon Party, and I made Pigeon Cake Pops!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13678735254" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/13678735254_f029f0e67d.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13678427843" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/13678427843_011d8723fb.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13678387805" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/13678387805_af2e492f56.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
We celebrated a few days early, because on the 11th, I went in for Radioactive Iodine Treatment for my thyroid.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13779249285" title="Nuclear Medicine by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Nuclear Medicine" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/13779249285_dd4574470a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13779547595" title="Radioactive Room by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Radioactive Room" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3718/13779547595_7097043353.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13779553173" title="Radioactive Iodine - Lead Cup by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Radioactive Iodine - Lead Cup" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/13779553173_0244659efc.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
I was quarentined at home for 3 days while the boys and Gipper stayed with the grandparents. I watched a lot of Doctor Who and knit a sweater.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15782757114" title="Mommy home sick by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Mommy home sick" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/15782757114_25bee27287.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13809479444" title="Tilted Duster - Pieces by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Tilted Duster - Pieces" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/13809479444_de6cdd67d1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
At the end of April we got some good news!!! The co-op board approved our buyer and our apartment sold!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14065641145" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/14065641145_352a3db995.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">May</span><br />
<br />
In May, Emily and Zoe came to visit!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/13917188077" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5109/13917188077_f0fc086441.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
For Mother's Day my boys went hiking and left me alone for many many hours, and it was amazing.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14245005551" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2938/14245005551_3f3fcd2dd4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14248296475" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5552/14248296475_f205209d13.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">June</span><br />
<br />
Chris and I celebrated 7 years of being married and still liking each other.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14375455464" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5566/14375455464_776a475be1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14189496017" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/14189496017_9a56720b33.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
I taught my first official childbirth ed series!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14237515220" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/14237515220_900d655a34.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14422894764" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2903/14422894764_451c1e7497.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14431927985" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/14431927985_8484b51b0a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14288518310" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5595/14288518310_cca126a507.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14247941994" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2911/14247941994_54a5dff49c.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">July</span><br />
<br />
We spent the 4th of July in New Hampshire.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14414463790" title="Hiking with the boys by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Hiking with the boys" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/14414463790_457463b979.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14394456749" title="Ruffit Painting by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Ruffit Painting" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/14394456749_9f51d6fa89.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14665264389" title="Ruffit_vaca_2014_sparlers and fireworks (44) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Ruffit_vaca_2014_sparlers and fireworks (44)" height="333" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/14665264389_2bb3ec91cf.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14665186129" title="Ruffit_vaca_2014_cake and ice cream (12) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Ruffit_vaca_2014_cake and ice cream (12)" height="333" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5569/14665186129_32ac3ee00a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14851798245" title="Ruffit_vaca_2014_cake and ice cream (13) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Ruffit_vaca_2014_cake and ice cream (13)" height="333" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3852/14851798245_c7159c5431.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14849360284" title="Ruffit_vaca_2014_cake and ice cream (17) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Ruffit_vaca_2014_cake and ice cream (17)" height="333" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3845/14849360284_967bde20f7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14699819205" title="Unimpressed GIpper by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Unimpressed GIpper" height="333" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/14699819205_15aba47e24.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
I also promised myself I would start my Christmas Tree skirt over the summer.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14519426135" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3896/14519426135_a414b18216.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We kept up with lots of fun activities for the child, lots of knitting for me, and lots of biking.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14593713278" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/14593713278_dccf223252.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14741111813" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3852/14741111813_d8d5114771.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14580242678" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="359" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2933/14580242678_3be38c77a5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14812138775" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5553/14812138775_f17e314053.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14815914016" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/14815914016_9393b0a737.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">August</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14728984789" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3846/14728984789_bc54f20195.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14878177770" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3893/14878177770_20b05d3464.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15105524221" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3890/15105524221_8ea9876e0d.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15183784712" title=" by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5573/15183784712_444db84bc1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Butterfly Exhibit with Gramma</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15128995262" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5595/15128995262_960ee8cb4f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Radio Controlled Airplane Show</div>
<br />
Dana's wedding was also fast approaching, and I was working hard on her Wedding Programs!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15330644431" title="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (9) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (9)" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2944/15330644431_9c64122124.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Also, the 3-County Fair has piglet racing.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15181275961" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3882/15181275961_78727f0168.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
and teeny tiny tractor pulls.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15183927332" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/15183927332_d972eb3b8d.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">September</span><br />
<br />
We spent Labor Day on the Cape with Chris's family.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16022045740" title="beach by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="beach" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7541/16022045740_704d903013.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Ro started Preschool!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15181342981" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5559/15181342981_8f34813e43.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15184375375" title="Untitled by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/15184375375_9e339b78c2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
And yes I cried.<br />
<br />
Northampon offers many fun family activities, like the Gluten Festival.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15318595625" title="Bread Festival Parade by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Bread Festival Parade" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5587/15318595625_9120c39ba6.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15293946846" title="Bread Festival Parade by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Bread Festival Parade" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5569/15293946846_192cdd60e4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
I had also been riding my bike pretty much all summer ... so yeah, I was pretty proud of that.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15331770436" title="Biker butt by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Biker butt" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2944/15331770436_f71e02eccf.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
Fall started to show itself ...<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15419254672" title="Fall 2014 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Fall 2014" height="333" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/15419254672_a50a9dec11.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15416440251" title="Fall 2014 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Fall 2014" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15416440251_b170be7572.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">October</span><br />
<br />
We tried out stencils for Pumpkin Carving<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15302296000" title="Pumpkin Carving (16) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Pumpkin Carving (16)" height="333" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2946/15302296000_dde6f3fa80.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15488655562" title="Pumpkin Carving (20) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Pumpkin Carving (20)" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3936/15488655562_290d4c0678.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15293885529" title="Jack Skellington Jack-o-Lantern by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Jack Skellington Jack-o-Lantern" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3950/15293885529_877978452f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15294065090" title="Tardis Jack-o-Lantern by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Tardis Jack-o-Lantern" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3927/15294065090_8bb1c519c3.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15477638801" title="Pirate Pumpkin by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Pirate Pumpkin" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2946/15477638801_006c28e248.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We had a yard with leaves it for the first time!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15928778850" title="Jumping in Leaves by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Jumping in Leaves" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8604/15928778850_60e526c34f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15496528153" title="Jumping in Leaves by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Jumping in Leaves" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/15496528153_c1ffcfdd27.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15493901534" title=""No Noggin" leaf man by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt=""No Noggin" leaf man" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7471/15493901534_edec5768b3.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
We went real-life door-to-door Trick-or-Treating!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15492898290" title="Trick or Treating by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Trick or Treating" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/15492898290_be11054a63.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15653970846" title="Trick or Treating by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Trick or Treating" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3941/15653970846_457cc80360.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15653968306" title="Halloween Candy by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Halloween Candy" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3951/15653968306_eeb9010239.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">November</span><br />
<br />
Chris and I went up to Pittsfield, VT for Janna and Don's Wedding!!! #Lovember8th<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15575732770" title="Chris and Mollie by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Chris and Mollie" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7554/15575732770_2e3b58d6a3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
We spent Thanksgiving with my parents ... without Power. Hello snowstorm.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15698845469" title="Thanksgiving 2014 Snow Storm by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thanksgiving 2014 Snow Storm" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/15698845469_ce5e448a20.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16217861320" title="Snowman Family by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Snowman Family" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8658/16217861320_12546898e4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15896447151" title="Thanksgiving 2014 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thanksgiving 2014" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7569/15896447151_e843b91ddd.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15904613455" title="Thanksgiving 2014 Snow Storm by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thanksgiving 2014 Snow Storm" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7499/15904613455_22cdbcb21f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15712440249" title="Thanksgiving 2014 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thanksgiving 2014" height="334" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7509/15712440249_351b9383d6.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And the only Day-After-Thanksgiving shopping we did was to the plant store to see Santa, who gave Ro a high five because he didn't want anything for Christmas.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15880268656" title="Meeting Santa by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Meeting Santa" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7552/15880268656_fa1c383c55.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15880274126" title="Meeting Santa - High Five by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Meeting Santa - High Five" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7477/15880274126_b5b55b7655.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">December</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15589550293" title="Christmas Card 2014 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas Card 2014" height="323" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7555/15589550293_4a4a12c4c4_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15979046992" title="Christmas Tree Decorating by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas Tree Decorating" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/15979046992_6965cf2f7f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
I finally finished the Tree Skirt!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15977729891" title="Christmas Tree Decorating by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas Tree Decorating" height="335" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/15977729891_2e2b6af972.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
We sang Christmas Carols down town<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15837879809" title="Northampton Tree Lighting by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Northampton Tree Lighting" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/15837879809_6a26807f9e.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<br />
The Grandparents went overboard on Christmas ... again.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15915772100" title="Christmas Eve - Presents by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas Eve - Presents" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7535/15915772100_f613ac1499.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15915631968" title="Christmas Morning - Presents by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas Morning - Presents" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/15915631968_f6e0e8676b.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
We spent New Year's Eve in Jammies with the Kinnes and McDonalds, 8pm NYE via Netflix for the Kids, and lots of Mexican Food.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16167783341" title="New Year's Eve dinner by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="New Year's Eve dinner" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8645/16167783341_84d3c3a9d5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16169538905" title="Kiddo Countdown by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Kiddo Countdown" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/16169538905_6e6eb7d52c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15982101480" title="Fancy New Year's by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Fancy New Year's" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7478/15982101480_71d7cd80c1.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-61296012954729598722015-04-06T21:23:00.000-04:002015-04-06T21:23:10.975-04:00Firefly BearBaby Malcolm turned one last week. All one-year-olds get bears for their birthdays, because it's high time they start thinking about someone else for a change.<br />
<br />
He was named for Malcolm Reynolds on Firefly, so of course he got a Browncoat Bear.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/17035289176" title="bear and malcolm2 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="bear and malcolm2" height="379" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7695/17035289176_8ab2317762.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16853869087" title="bear and malcolm by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="bear and malcolm" height="379" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7717/16853869087_860df38ae0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16883237845" title="Malcolm's Firefly Bear by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Malcolm's Firefly Bear" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7620/16883237845_83d6375cb6.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16695616258" title="Malcolm's Firefly Bear by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Malcolm's Firefly Bear" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7616/16695616258_1ce3cca141.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16260879164" title="Malcolm's Firefly Bear by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Malcolm's Firefly Bear" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7637/16260879164_359dbfb2f7.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-10885914287459629162015-03-23T12:10:00.000-04:002015-03-23T12:10:02.097-04:00Why would a person have that information at their disposal?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I talk a lot about placentas and the Americans with Disabilities Act ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXxyni_BGkHG308QiFZhVqTPd-SDNAYYEQ0CJZAWZDBW8SD83-cL81z1pRylW-8bvMRh6kwiu397rlXbhSaTratXHftHEFLMmwwJv0PGjQODZPMXd9qxagAVyx0pI_l3IglExTzSvdGM/s1600/island+of+yap.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Why would a person have that information at their disposal Parties" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXxyni_BGkHG308QiFZhVqTPd-SDNAYYEQ0CJZAWZDBW8SD83-cL81z1pRylW-8bvMRh6kwiu397rlXbhSaTratXHftHEFLMmwwJv0PGjQODZPMXd9qxagAVyx0pI_l3IglExTzSvdGM/s1600/island+of+yap.gif" height="352" title="West Wing Island of Yap" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-62960623751441956382015-02-05T12:00:00.001-05:002015-02-05T12:00:32.646-05:00I'm a superstar!Imma just leave this here. You know, for when I need it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRQQjGh7Rx7aejo5JnyAZiiX3C-0jT4xBt5YR-1jC6B5c6JqSVc2YCh9R78eXot5Mvd6YBU2AAceQKEpW8g5zCcqJKcGxn75OFIEshm_0moC4mO-uLedTOFC7fetAIcy3m3etgf2Ni38/s1600/I'maSuperStar.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRQQjGh7Rx7aejo5JnyAZiiX3C-0jT4xBt5YR-1jC6B5c6JqSVc2YCh9R78eXot5Mvd6YBU2AAceQKEpW8g5zCcqJKcGxn75OFIEshm_0moC4mO-uLedTOFC7fetAIcy3m3etgf2Ni38/s1600/I'maSuperStar.gif" height="346" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Also, I -- like Callie Torez and Joey Tribiani, AM CURVY AND I LIKE IT!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-83562583579642529732014-12-28T09:37:00.000-05:002014-12-28T09:37:24.178-05:00Decorative Thread Boards<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15940860888" title="Thread Board - Title by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Board - Title" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7532/15940860888_ef6535f9c8.jpg" width="379" /></a></div>
<br />
While trying to figure out a good way to organize my own thread (instead of in a trick-or-treat bin, where it lives right now), I thought of a neat gift idea for my mother and mother-in-law. My MIL finally has her sewing room and is an avid quilter, and my mother is getting back into sewing with a brand new machine.<br />
<br />
My own small-space sewing experience brought up an interesting dilemma -- how do you keep the small lower bobbins with their matching thread spools? I had a nice box that I kept some of my spools in,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41aLjXdtaLL.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></div>
<br />
which had vertical stems which kept the spools from falling over. This kept them upright and easy to see. However, when I tried to keep the lower bobbins on the same stem as the thread, they were too tall and the lid didn't fit on tightly. Want to guess the number of times I accidentally dumped the entire thing the floor?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp4LkVcjEZaS4YfyiyrNDz-DQBUAfIlVOQBwGcU-qCHUsA6tMiNNHPkmJ1g2NVQwaclRKckPQUw07PzhMu8iuGkshJaKC1Qdx_cbH9QLBqjPidx-LhDdsQBRpxkTLI7kAheOUr13JauA/s1600/theresgottabeabetterway.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gif Friends milkmaster gotta be a better way" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp4LkVcjEZaS4YfyiyrNDz-DQBUAfIlVOQBwGcU-qCHUsA6tMiNNHPkmJ1g2NVQwaclRKckPQUw07PzhMu8iuGkshJaKC1Qdx_cbH9QLBqjPidx-LhDdsQBRpxkTLI7kAheOUr13JauA/s1600/theresgottabeabetterway.gif" height="260" title="Gif Friends milkmaster gotta be a better way" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
To the Pins!<br />
<br />
Many lovely ideas on the Pinterest, of course.<br />
<br />
Peg boards ...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/170292429635602283/" target="_blank"><img alt="novel use for a peg board. frame and store thread and bobbins!" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ed/91/41/ed9141d18c7abc5d79e94620acfaba84.jpg" height="320" width="280" /></a></div>
<br />
Golf tees ...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/170292429635602287/" target="_blank"><img alt="Thread & Bobbin Storage ~ Kimations" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/91/44/2a/91442a409507c21acf1e196d9cff7f4f.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Whatever this is ...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/170292429635602278/" target="_blank"><img alt="Thread and bobbin storage" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/48/ea/e5/48eae5edeb7f66646fc00db9431a1864.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
This one looked the most promising:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/170292429635602288/" target="_blank"><img alt="DIY #chevron #sewing #thread board for ample storage & great display." src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/95/b2/6f/95b26f09b43b5c6fad8888f5b3c2fc97.jpg" height="400" width="296" /></a></div>
<br />
I liked how the bottom bobbins fit right there with the matching spools. The blog shows how she did the chevron pattern on the board. I, of course, took it a step farther.<br />
<br />
If you spend enough time on Pinterest, you'll come across this DIY Mirror Frame in various forms.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/180707003771530626/" target="_blank"><img alt="I have to paint the one in our old house black to go with my black and pink bathroom DIY Framed Mirror Tutorial on { lilluna.com }" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/95/8b/15/958b150b2c0034164e00c9ace8a8fcea.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Basically you take wood trim (for windows, doors, baseboards, etc.) and use it to frame a mirror for a very clean look.<br />
<br />
There's also this technique, for making fancy picture frames with the same kind of trim.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/56787645276002642/" target="_blank"><img alt="Build your own custom GIANT picture frame using layered trim Pieces! {Sawdust & Embryos}" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/8e/88/32/8e883282dbba150e4597b94a095d87b2.jpg" height="400" width="252" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I decided I wanted these features in a thread older:<br />
<i>1) Hang it on the wall</i><br />
<i>2) Long enough nails for the bottom bobbin and the thread spool to sit together</i><br />
<i>3) Framed in a way that would look clean and decorative when hung on the wall</i><br />
<i>4) Painted by the kiddo (so it counts as a present from him as well)</i><br />
<i>5) Not ridiculously expensive</i><br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Step 1: Call Dad</b><br />
I told him my plan, and he suggested I use sheets of plywood (which he had lying around), and said we could cut things in his workshop over Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Step 2: Measure</b><br />
I laid out some spools to see how far apart they should be. I found that a 19x19 piece of wood would fit about 36 spools (with enough room for fat spools too).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15929072150" title="Thread Boards - Measuring Spools by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Measuring Spools" height="300" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7498/15929072150_3abc000cf6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I also measured the height of the bobbin and spool, and found I would need 3" or 3 1/4" nails.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15930619447" title="Thread Boards - Measuring Spools by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Measuring Spools" height="400" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7571/15930619447_8f5fb53fe9.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Step 3: Trim shopping</b><br />
I did not have much luck with Home Depot. Some of the stuff was nice, but mad expensive. And the only one that had a really good pattern for a reasonable price was Crown Molding, and its shape would have been pretty tricky to work with.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15928928998" title="Thread Boards - Trim Shopping by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Trim Shopping" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7540/15928928998_7c911d8e8d.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15930296389" title="Thread Boards - Trim Shopping by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Trim Shopping" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7473/15930296389_1660a754e0.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15930302549" title="Thread Boards - Trim Shopping by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Trim Shopping" height="320" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8583/15930302549_6e368bea37.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Lowes had a much better selection, including this one, which is PERFECT for a sewing room!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16116364445" title="Thread Boards - Trim Shopping by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Trim Shopping" height="400" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/16116364445_c7325dca53.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Step 4: Measure and Cut Trim</b><br />
Over Thanksgiving Dad helped cut each long piece of trim into 4 pieces that fit together in a square. It involved geometry and a circular saw, so I let dad take the lead on this one.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16116373435" title="Thread Boards - Cutting Trim by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Cutting Trim" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7463/16116373435_7968f16513.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16090586966" title="Thread Boards - Cutting Trim by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Cutting Trim" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/16090586966_7fdebe4785.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Step 5: Stain Trim</b><br />
Dad also had some stain lying around.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16115642222" title="Thread Boards - Staining Trim by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Staining Trim" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7495/16115642222_288b747827.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16114468731" title="Thread Boards - Staining Trim by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Staining Trim" height="367" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8654/16114468731_ca1656de08.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Step 6: Prime and Paint Boards</b><br />
I bought some basic Primer to make the boards white before we painted them -- I figured Ro's kid paints would show up better on a primed surface.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15928973458" title="Thread Boards - Painting Boards by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Painting Boards" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/15928973458_a0da52a054.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15928976398" title="Thread Boards - Painting Boards by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Painting Boards" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/15928976398_2f961c07c8.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
(I also had a few canvases that we had been playing with, and I primed over them so they're new and fresh!) The Primed surface looked great! They really looked like canvases -- in fact I kept forgetting they were plywood, and was surprised by their weight when I picked them up!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16116402795" title="Thread Boards - Painting Boards by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Painting Boards" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7526/16116402795_a6a7ab1374.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15930659337" title="Thread Boards - Painting Boards by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Painting Boards" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/15930659337_715fa89c42.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Step 7: Seal Trim and Boards</b><br />
Dad gave me some Polyurethane for the trim to seal in the stain.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15928966818" title="Thread Boards - Polyeurithane Trim by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Polyeurithane Trim" height="353" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8562/15928966818_a07b3d995d.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
I also tested it on the kid paint, to see if it would seal it. However it was too wet, and sort of washed away the paint instead of sealing it in.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15494062204" title="Thread Boards - testing poly on paint by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - testing poly on paint" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7492/15494062204_50c884464b.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
Mod Podge actually worked a lot better, and gave it a little shine.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16115677302" title="Thread Boards - Sealing Paint by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Sealing Paint" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/16115677302_5664982796.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Step 8: Glue Trim</b><br />
Fancy people have special right-angle corner clamps to glue corners. I don't. Using wood glue, I just pressed the edges together and clamped them to the board to keep them sturdy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15887360027" title="Thread Boards - Gluing by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Gluing" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/15887360027_8475c5a17e.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I glued the trim to the boards, clamped two corners (because I only had two clamps), and used books for the other corners.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16047322156" title="Thread Boards - Gluing by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Gluing" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7514/16047322156_5454bf4969.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Step 9: Attach Wall Hangers</b><br />
I used two D-Ring Picture Frame Hangers screwed into the back of the board.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/008236/008236702231lg.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Step 10: Nail</b><br />
I nailed brads through the trim into the board to keep it secure.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16116739902" title="Thread Boards - Nailing Brads by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Nailing Brads" height="333" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8609/16116739902_1ce88ba308.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I measured and marked where the big nails would go. Mine ended up 2.25" inches apart.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15931414659" title="Thread Boards - Measuring for Nails by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Measuring for Nails" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7543/15931414659_89c229b661.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
I nailed the 3" nails at an angle so the spools wouldn't fall off when the board was hung on the wall (I couldn't find 3.25" nails that were thin enough for thread spools, but the 3" work ok).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16091698386" title="Thread Boards - Nails by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Nails" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/16091698386_1a0f5001f5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16115567251" title="Thread Boards - Nails by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Nails" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7531/16115567251_908bb41809.jpg" width="393" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Finally, add your thread spools and hang on the wall!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15495166184" title="Thread Boards - Spools by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Spools" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7575/15495166184_08da82ef09.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15930080868" title="Thread Boards - Spools by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Spools" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/15930080868_d08d3109d2.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<br />
You can also hang frequently needed supplies, like your pin cushion or scissors.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16117500595" title="Thread Boards - Spools by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Thread Boards - Spools" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7521/16117500595_1d03974bc2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-29279136936605778982014-12-23T07:26:00.002-05:002014-12-23T12:09:57.366-05:00Just make Christmas happen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr45sctOqIh4MrJtqwpOMIh6yg_zuWGKQTfS0rHRWBImlE48iFRspBmCWn8JoqpdqmS1WaMjjKRhzuQxSElJhPW3VcTEBLf9u04iO5PVqwzZOTAby7RROT2Wq8W49tTH9leZXcdSYMNJw/s1600/MakeChristmas.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr45sctOqIh4MrJtqwpOMIh6yg_zuWGKQTfS0rHRWBImlE48iFRspBmCWn8JoqpdqmS1WaMjjKRhzuQxSElJhPW3VcTEBLf9u04iO5PVqwzZOTAby7RROT2Wq8W49tTH9leZXcdSYMNJw/s1600/MakeChristmas.gif" height="345" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In my husband's defense, he has actually thanked me daily for making Christmas happen.<br />
<br />
And in deference to my mother and mother-in-law, I'm not in charge of making sure there is food.<br />
<br />
But yeah, this is my job this week. Just make Christmas happen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-32462698831113092682014-12-21T20:43:00.000-05:002014-12-21T20:43:27.888-05:00Up-Cycled Recycling Bin HandlesOr ... "They moved my dumpster into a new time-zone".<br />
<br />
I shouldn't complain. My apartment complex is awesome. The grounds are super clean. The maintenance men are SO nice. And they have single-stream recycling, meaning I don't have to separate my paper from my plastic and glass. I'm super spoiled. I was also spoiled that my mail box and dumpster were about 100 feet from my door. I barely had to put shoes on to take out the trash.<br />
<br />
Until now. They decided to consolidate the dumpsters and recycling down in one of the lower lots, right by the front entrance, since "everyone drives their trash to the dumpsters anyway". Grrr. What's the point in recycling if you have to DRIVE it to throw it away? And since we're uber hippies and hardly drive AT ALL anyway, it's not like we can just add "drop off recycling on our way out to work", since work is via bike. But we're the minority, so I'm not going to bitch about it. Much.<br />
<br />
Fine. I'll walk the 1/4 mile there and the 1/4 mile back to bring my trash and recycling. In the middle of winter. God help us the first blizzard, though, cause I'm not doing it then. Or when it's raining. Or too hot. Yeah, this isn't going to work out very well.<br />
<br />
But the real problem is that our bins are a pain to carry. They're just paper bins from staples.<br />
<img alt="Brighton Professional™ Wastebasket, Black, 7 gal." src="http://www.staples-3p.com/s7/is/image/Staples/s0275838_sc7?$splssku$" height="320" width="320" /><br />
Nothing to really hold on to. And when it was only 100 feet to the bin, it was fine for the dog food can or oatmeal canister to fall out. I'd just grab it, balance it back on top, and dash. But I'm not dropping shit all the way down to the lower lot. This thing needs handles.<br />
<br />
For different reasons (see: Christmas gifts, later this month), I had my electric drill out and was putting holes in a rubbermaid tub. Eureka! I can put holes in the bin and put fabric handles through the holes!<br />
<br />
Step 1: drill a hole in each side of the bin.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15453378133" title="Recycling Bin Handles by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Recycling Bin Handles" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/15453378133_9ae185c24d.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
Step 2. Cut a fabric strip long enough to thread through one hole, up over your shoulder, and into the hole on the other side. We have a bunch of these HUGE reusable bags from the bike shop, and they seemed to be the right size. Plus they were pretty clear in the instructions ...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16047243556" title="Recycling Bin Handles by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Recycling Bin Handles" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/16047243556_22feb87f33.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16047241976" title="Recycling Bin Handles by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Recycling Bin Handles" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/16047241976_2266919c28.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I was able to cut just the center panel of this bag from one end to the other, and then cut it lengthwise to make two long straps, and they were perfect. I think they were about 45" long.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15886957229" title="Recycling Bin Handles by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Recycling Bin Handles" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8609/15886957229_aa121a602a.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Step 3: Thread the ends of the fabric through the holes.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16072349542" title="Recycling Bin Handles by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Recycling Bin Handles" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/16072349542_5f53967991.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Step 4: Here's the tricky part ... pull the fabric end through the hole and fold it back against the rest of the strap. Sew the end of the fabric to the body of the strap so it won't come undone. I imagine if you are a knot wizard, you could knot it in a way where it wouldn't come loose. I couldn't. I pinned the end and sewed across it and back a few times, propping the bin up on some books to keep it even.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15450744714" title="Recycling Bin Handles by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Recycling Bin Handles" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/15450744714_efe1a033db.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15885769260" title="Recycling Bin Handles by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Recycling Bin Handles" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/15885769260_a69332a7d3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/16072352802" title="Recycling Bin Handles by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Recycling Bin Handles" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7546/16072352802_462159c0f8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I also sewed the strap in half length-wise to give it some strength. I did one AFTER I had secured the ends to the bins, and I did one BEFORE I secured the ends to the bins. Both were a pain, and involved a lot of bin maneuvering, but they look nicer and I think they're stronger.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15453388393" title="Recycling Bin Handles by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Recycling Bin Handles" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8681/15453388393_04fc77d014.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15885772240" title="Recycling Bin Handles by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Recycling Bin Handles" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7575/15885772240_488e5a2e4c.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
And now look who can help!?<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15887286927" title="Recycling Bin Handles by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Recycling Bin Handles" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/15887286927_d5d7e6824d.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-21241156809987619462014-11-09T18:18:00.002-05:002014-11-09T20:26:26.382-05:00Boston Cream Muffins ...ok, ok ... cupcakes<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15753463982" title="Title by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Title" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7506/15753463982_2a3f7cae7e_z.jpg" width="445" /></a></div>
<br />
Big Y supermarket has a great muffin section -- big ol' bran muffins, chocolate chocolate-chip muffins, and ... wait for it ... Boston Cream Muffins. Big, giant, Boston Cream Muffins. They're hard to resist. But my wallet and my wastline need me to resist them. So we're implementing the very useful "Make it Yourself" rule -- if you make the food yourself, you will naturally eat more "real" food and portion-control the "not food", because "not food" is super annoying to make yourself. E.g. Apples are real food, and are really easy to "make" -- just pick them up and eat them. Home-made oreos, on the other hand, are kind of a pain to make -- the cookie dough, you gotta cut or roll the cookies really small, bake them and don't burn them, mix the filling, spread the filling, etc. Not hard, it just takes a long time. And while home-made oreos are technically "real food", since they're made with real ingredients, they're not all that good for you. But they're such a pain to make, I'm not going to make them very often. Hence, built-in portion control.<br />
<br />
Cue Boston Cream Muffins. Now a quick internet search informed me that there is no such thing as a boston cream muffin, that they are actually cupcakes. And I'll admit, my rule is usually No Frosting = muffin, Frosting = cupcake. So the chocolate topping makes these cupcakes -- fine.<br />
<br />
After that, the internet was super disappointing. All the recipes (except Martha) called for Cake Mix from a box, and Instant Vanilla Pudding. If I wanted this to be easy ... I would just buy the muffin from Big Y. So we did some mixing-and-matching.<br />
<br />
Cupcakes, from <a href="http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/08/24/moist-yellow-cupcakes-with-milk-chocolate-frosting/" target="_blank">Sally's Baking Addiction</a><br />
<br />
Vanilla Cream Filling, from <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/339771/vanilla-cream" target="_blank">Martha Stewart</a><br />
<br />
Chocolate Ganache, from <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/boston-creme-cupcakes-recipe.html" target="_blank">Food Network</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Side-Note -- since Daylight Savings Time ended last week, any sort of afternoon cooking is now done in the dark. Please excuse the bad lighting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8690318025043996339" name="Cream"></a>
<a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cream">Vanilla Cream</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cupcakes">Cupcakes</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Ganache">Chocolate Ganache</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Finish">Finishing</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cream">Back to Top</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Vanilla Cream</span><br />
<i>You may end up needing more than these original measurements (see Finishing below), probably doubled for a 24-cupcake batch.</i><br />
<br />
<b><u>Ingredients</u></b><br />
2 large egg yolks<br />
1/4 cup sugar<br />
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch<br />
Pinch of salt<br />
1 cup whole milk<br />
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15113209793" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (1) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (1)" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8565/15113209793_fc7b495a08_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Separate eggs, and set aside whites (yummy breakfast for tomorrow!). Whisk yolks until smooth.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15547149888" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (2) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (2)" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5612/15547149888_ceb829e765_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<div>
<br />
Mix sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add milk in a slow, steady stream. Cook, stirring, until mixture begins to bubble and thicken, about 5 minutes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15547756000" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (3) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (3)" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/15547756000_fe8a41def5_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Pour 1/3 of milk mixture into yolks, whisking constantly. Return mixture to saucepan, and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until thick, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in vanilla.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15113213163" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (4) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (4)" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3952/15113213163_f5695ee9e2_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
I love cooking that turns into chemistry totally amazes me. And if high school chemistry had been this yummy, I probably would have done better.<br />
<br />
Pass vanilla cream through a fine sieve into a bowl.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15732605355" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (6) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (6)" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3940/15732605355_414ec7de60_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Press plastic wrap directly on surface. Refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15547760940" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (7) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (7)" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15547760940_c1524d9b1a_z.jpg" width="437" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8690318025043996339" name="Cupcakes"></a>
<a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cream">Vanilla Cream</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cupcakes">Cupcakes</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Ganache">Chocolate Ganache</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Finish">Finishing</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cream">Back to Top</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cupcakes</span><br />
<i>These were yummy, but they did not come out of the silicone muffin cups easily. Also I reduced the recipe to make only 12 cupcakes, and the batter ended up making 19. So ... not sure what to tell you. These are original measurements, which the original author says makes 16. Maybe they're 16 really BIG cupcakes. I'd say this would make 24 normal-sized cupcakes, which means you'd probably need more cream-filling than the recipe above.</i><br />
<br />
<b><u>Ingredients</u></b><br />
2 1/3 cups (292g) all-purpose flour<br />
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
12 Tablespoons (180g) unsalted butter, softened too room temperature<br />
1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar<br />
2 large eggs, room temperature and separated<br />
3 teaspoons vanilla extract<br />
1 cup (240ml) whole milk<br />
<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line a muffin pans with cupcake liners.<br />
<br />
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15547419677" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (8) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (8)" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5603/15547419677_81412909e0_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy - about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat on high speed for 3-4 minutes until creamed together fairly well.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15730684781" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (9) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (9)" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3952/15730684781_42b36242d7_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Separate eggs. Add yolks and the vanilla to butter mixture. Beat on medium-high speed until combined.<br />
<br />
With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture and milk (alternate adding flour and adding milk 3 times).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15547763510" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (10) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (10)" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3941/15547763510_ded529408a_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Whisk or beat the egg whites until thick and foamy, about 3 minutes. Fold into cupcake batter.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15547764410" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (11) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (11)" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7468/15547764410_fc81889a4f_z.jpg" width="453" /></a><br />
<br />
Spoon batter into cupcake liners filling 1/2 - 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15730687811" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (12) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (12)" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/15730687811_ede2745aeb_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8690318025043996339" name="Ganache"></a>
<a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cream">Vanilla Cream</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cupcakes">Cupcakes</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Ganache">Chocolate Ganache</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Finish">Finishing</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cream">Back to Top</a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Chocolate Ganache</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8690318025043996339" name="Ganache"></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<i>These are the original amounts, which made WAY too much ganache for 19 cupcakes. I'd cut this in half for a normal 24-cupcake batch.</i><br />
<br />
<u>Ingredients</u><br />
1 cup heavy cream<br />
1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate morsels<br />
<br />
<br />
Heat cream in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edges.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15732931425" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (18) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (18)" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7504/15732931425_499fb5d828_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Remove from heat, add chocolate morsels to pan, and whisk until smooth.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15547483288" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (19) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (19)" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5611/15547483288_9f6b2f3d60_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Spoon or drizzle glaze over cupcakes, or dunk the tops into the glaze (do this AFTER you put the cream into the cupcakes, below).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15731012351" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (21) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (21)" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15731012351_5b3fd76d68_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8690318025043996339" name="Finish"></a>
<a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cream">Vanilla Cream</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cupcakes">Cupcakes</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Ganache">Chocolate Ganache</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Finish">Finishing</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cream">Back to Top</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8690318025043996339#Cream"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finishing</span><br />
<i>Here's what I did, and here's how it didn't quite work.</i><br />
<br />
Spoon vanilla cream into a frosting bag with a long tip.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15709220516" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (13) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (13)" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15709220516_f8502d933f_z.jpg" width="436" /></a><br />
<br />
Insert tip into cupcake and squeeze filling into cupcake.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15709221906" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (15) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (15)" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7485/15709221906_e90b2137e7_z.jpg" width="439" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15734478352" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (17) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (17)" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/15734478352_9ea6e56900_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
**Here's what I did wrong. I didn't put ENOUGH filling into each cupcake. I ended up putting 5 or 6 small squeezes into each cupcake, and it either wasn't enough to taste it, or the cream was absorbed into the cake. It really didn't feel like a good mouthful of cream ... that's what she said.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15731015181" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (24) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (24)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/15731015181_150e1c3087_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Next time I think I will actually cut a hunk of cake out of the center of the cupcake and fill it will cream -- that way I can see how much is getting in there.<br />
<br />
<br />
That being said, they were still pretty good. I mean, it's cake and frosting, and when you pretend it's a muffin, you can have it at 10am with a cup of coffee. That's heaven in my book.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15548094470" title="Boston Creme Cupcakes (27) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Boston Creme Cupcakes (27)" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3943/15548094470_e4a2ac2b31_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cream">Vanilla Cream</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cupcakes">Cupcakes</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Ganache">Chocolate Ganache</a> | <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Finish">Finishing</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/11/boston-cream-muffins-ok-ok-cupcakes.html#Cream">Back to Top</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-76442189528362099582014-10-02T10:58:00.000-04:002014-10-12T22:58:33.928-04:00Wedding Program Handkerchiefs, Done!Only a few days left until D and Y's Wedding!!! Woo Hoo!!! The handkerchiefs are with the Mother of the Bride, so my job is done!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15147063099" title="693 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="693" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3866/15147063099_5b3d1b12cc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
All that's left is to blog about it. Here are the final instructions, since I do realize my <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2013/08/handkerchief-wedding-programs.html" target="_blank">brainstorming </a>and <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/05/wedding-program-handkerchiefs-continued.html" target="_blank">rambling troubleshooting posts</a> may be hard for some to follow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1. Gather Supplies</b><br />
Fabric<br />
Freezer paper<br />
Iron<br />
Scissors or rotary cutter<br />
Inkjet printer<br />
Sewing Machine<br />
Thread<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>2. Buy Fabric</b><br />
Most fabric is 60" or so wide, which gives you 20 programs per yard. Do do some math and give yourself an extra yard or two to work with (cause you'll mess up a few).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14315302365" title="Handkerchief_layout4 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Handkerchief_layout4" height="414" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2908/14315302365_9043c0cb65_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>3. Design</b><br />
Using your favorite software, design a fold-able 8.5x11 program (use "greeting card" feature, if it has one).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14080955280" title="Handkerchief_design by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Handkerchief_design" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/14080955280_28a2a5c945_z.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14264237301" title="Handkerchief_design2 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Handkerchief_design2" height="522" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/14264237301_0476011a41_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Leave enough margin for folding and stitching.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>4. Fabric Prep</b><br />
Depending on the fabric you are using, hand- or machine-wash and dry.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14122977657" title="Wedding Handkerchief - Washing 1 by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Handkerchief - Washing 1" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5233/14122977657_42090f9d82_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>5. Measure and Cut Freezer Paper</b><br />
I recommend getting the 18" freezer paper (it also comes in 15") -- 18" makes it easier to measure and fits the 8.5x11 pieces evenly.<br />
Measure and draw the 8.5x11" rectangles onto the freezer paper - it's easier to draw on the paper before ironing it to the fabric. Positioning the rectangles landscape, draw 5 across and 2 up, with a small margin on end. This comes to about 57" of freezer paper.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5beSRibkxPKVMp81wTFyXY5XS09YXN66wtJlhpRiZDnq8dmhzIH8SGFpyZivXibfynlwTcG7CaPEGH5pKIJryQ65u8pqiNdnXNeHI75aC3PwTAOB_Vdy1jAtezH6iOw5VUKzeVAieIo/s1600/freezerpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5beSRibkxPKVMp81wTFyXY5XS09YXN66wtJlhpRiZDnq8dmhzIH8SGFpyZivXibfynlwTcG7CaPEGH5pKIJryQ65u8pqiNdnXNeHI75aC3PwTAOB_Vdy1jAtezH6iOw5VUKzeVAieIo/s1600/freezerpaper.jpg" height="125" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>6. Iron Freezer Paper</b><br />
Iron the first section of fabric so it's flat. Place the strip of freezer paper plastic-side down on the fabric and iron until the plastic melts onto fabric.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15233001920" title="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15233001920_1e234074a5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>7. Cut sections</b><br />
Cut pre-measured sections with scissors or a rotary cutter. Give each section another iron to make sure the fabric is flat and the edges are firmly sealed.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15233136587" title="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2945/15233136587_6369bdd0c7_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15233094628" title="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3927/15233094628_3504596620_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15233096758" title="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15233096758_2a62627b96_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>8. Print</b><br />
Send each 8.5x11" section through your inkjet printer, making sure to print on the fabric side. It's probably best to feed each fabric section one at at time, instead of piling them in the paper tray.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15232935629" title="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2941/15232935629_712ccebbf8_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15233098198" title="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2942/15233098198_298ef67521_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>9. Remove freezer paper from fabric.</b><br />
Just peel it off.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15419351092" title="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3927/15419351092_bc0961aa7d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15416519661" title="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Program Handkerchiefs" height="437" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15416519661_3772643c2c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>10. Pressing</b><br />
Using a steam iron on the hottest setting (or whichever works best for the fabric you're using), press the edges of each fabric piece. Depending on how you plan to hem, this may be a single or double fold. Practice with a few test pieces to see how best to press the corners -- some fabrics may need some bulk cut out of the corner folds, other may press fine. Hint: for delicate fabrics, use a metal fork or metal tapestry needle to secure the corner before placing the iron -- this way you can place the iron down on it without getting your fingers too close.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15333785365" title="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (25) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (25)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3896/15333785365_66c07188b3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15333795165" title="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (16) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (16)" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3909/15333795165_2dbcf4c00f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15147039679" title="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (12) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (12)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3836/15147039679_05a9f71eb6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>11. Cut stabilizer backing paper</b><br />
If your fabric needs stabilizer backing paper, it helps to cut a pile of paper strips before you start sewing. Tissue paper or tracing paper works well, cut into 2"-wide strips (8--12" long).<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>12. Sew</b><br />
Place backing paper under fabric. Starting with the corner of the back "page" of the program (so the knot or back-stitching isn't right in front), sew around the program, keeping an even margin. Back-stitch or lock-stitch at the beginning and end.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15330644431" title="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (9) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (9)" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2944/15330644431_9c64122124_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15147101630" title="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (7) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (7)" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2942/15147101630_d888c2d2d3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>13. Finishing Check and Press</b><br />
Peel off backing paper and trim threads. Hint: Peel backing paper from ONE side of the stitches at a time (not the whole thing at once); it will tear more cleanly, reducing the number of ripped pieces left behind.Trim any stray threads from the fabric. Give them a final pressing and fold. Done.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15147053639" title="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (6) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Handkerchiefs_final batch (6)" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3918/15147053639_58d2d3762c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/14122966847" title="Wedding Handkerchief - Embroidery (7) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Handkerchief - Embroidery (7)" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5078/14122966847_9f357bc0fa_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-64923856784642401402014-09-22T15:54:00.002-04:002014-10-08T14:56:42.938-04:00Commissioned Work - BrainstormIt's been a long time since I brainstormed via blog!<br />
<br />
It's also been a while since I posted anything about, you know, life. It's been a little crazy. Ro is in preschool now, which was rough for the first week or two. He's a pro though -- loves rules and order, schedules, and clear expectations, so school is a good fit. I'm still working hard trying to set up my <a href="http://craftedbirth.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Childbirth Classes</a> ... well, they're set up, I just need people to SIGN UP!<br />
<br />
But in the meantime, my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/toughloveknitters" target="_blank">Etsy </a>is blowin' up. People just love Pigeon Hats. And Notre Dame Sweaters. And I love when the Etsy app Cha-Chings at me when I make a sale. It's a lovely combination of joy and fear -- as in "Yea! I'm contributing financially to my family!" and "Am I going to have time to finish all this stuff in time?"<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/toughloveknitters" target="_blank"><img alt="Pigeon Hat (8)" height="400" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2100/13172196135_e3bf67826c_z.jpg" width="282" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/toughloveknitters" target="_blank"><img alt="Notre Dame Letterman Sweater" height="207" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3838/15255640791_dd3fa7420a_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And then yesterday a woman from a FB group I'm in was looking for someone to knit a Bubble Guppies costume for her daughter for Halloween. An online friend tagged me in it, and I sent a link to my Etsy page, and I'm now going to be knitting a Oona Bubble Guppy costume for her! Woo!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/Images/bubble_guppies_character_oona_tcm169-64846.jpg" height="400" width="232" /> <img src="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121207221003/bubbleguppies/images/7/70/Oona_gonna_egt_me.png" height="400" width="308" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10641297_10152910752458243_1516640339901826116_n.jpg?oh=2e449eec36e37f34a3876f3b2b89e1b1&oe=548A9EAD" width="300" /></div>
<br />
There are a bunch of "mermaid" tail patterns, but mostly crocheted, so I'm going to have to come up with a knitted one. But I'm not worried. I'm pretty <a href="http://toughloveknitters.blogspot.com/2014/08/words-of-encouragement.html" target="_blank">awesome</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Tail</b>:<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>Height</u>: Average 6 mo is about 25-26" tall; waist falls at about half their height, so about 13" from foot to waist (plus about 6-8" of fin). The picture above (which she shared with me as an idea of what she wants), the "tail" comes up to the child's waist. However Oona's "dress" technically covers her chest. I'm thinking a tall, ribbed belly band part will keep it stretchy and allow mom to adjust it up or down as she likes, maybe 4". I checked the height of some 6-month PJs, and they're about 12.5" from waist to feet. I'll keep it wide at the feet so her feet are not bunched up too much, and then decrease for the fins. Total height: about 4" for belly band, about 15" for body down to fin, about 6" for the fins.<br />
<br />
<u>Width</u>: A 6-month old child's hips are about 20" around, and waist is about 19" around. She wants room for PJs underneath. Here's where I'm not sure about the "ease": for a sweater, you want the piece 2-4" bigger around than the body (so you have room too move and wear a layer underneath); but for a hat, you want it 2" or so smaller than the head (so it stretches and stays on). I want the ribbing stretchy and "tight" so it will stay up, but obviously with enough room for layers and movement. I'm thinking maybe 19" around for the ribbing (so it stretches to 21"), and then 22" around for the top of the legs.<br />
<br />
<u>Stripes</u>: Oona's tail is purple and pink spiraly stripes. The photo above was make with just purple and a pink accent added to it; however Oona's real tail is about equal parts purple and pink. A traveling spiral like that is hard (impossible?) to do in the round, since you'd come back around to the beginning of a pink part and the pink yarn would be all the way over on the other edge of the pink section. It can be done flat though, and sewn up the seam (which I hate doing, but I like more for things to be pretty and correct).<br />
So I think I'll do it flat and then sew up with an invisible stitch. The challenge is to make the spirals line up when the piece is folded. Now, if I were super cool, I would make it shaped like a spherical cone ... but that involved calculus, probably, and it's my mission to prove that calculus is useless. Algebra, on the other hand, I seriously use it every day. Go apologize to your 8th grade math teacher, I'm sure he's waiting for your call. Anyway, I decided to just fold it flat. To get the spirals to line up, you always have to have the same color on left edge AND the right edge of the piece. I copied a picture of Oona into photoshop, cropped off her head and arms, turned on the grid, and adjusted the image size so it fit my gauge (90sts across X 95 sts tall). I then copied her dress and placed the layers side-by-side. Wherever the color changed from purple to pink (or vice versa) on the left edge, I drew a line across the piece and made the right edge also change from purple to pink. Then I filled in the stripes in between in an interesting way, and boom, stripes that join when you fold the piece in half. For the decrease to the fins, I decreased each half evenly, 1 dec on each edge and 1 dec on either side of the center.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5fZkUg2bhtgG4Ip_VGlUOGBrl-qGwvZMR89kjO3ikHLbzC_prIJ7eEWT-l64evI_brm-S014F-YT_E4CEa_CMY6-Iu_242a8y2d78rr8qxqFvWv37gmsZDPu3ZvMehdtPWi0QsBo32M/s1600/Bubble+Guppies+Grid(C).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5fZkUg2bhtgG4Ip_VGlUOGBrl-qGwvZMR89kjO3ikHLbzC_prIJ7eEWT-l64evI_brm-S014F-YT_E4CEa_CMY6-Iu_242a8y2d78rr8qxqFvWv37gmsZDPu3ZvMehdtPWi0QsBo32M/s1600/Bubble+Guppies+Grid(C).jpg" height="400" width="378" /></a></div>
<br />
Fin:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Hat:</b><br />
Pretty straightforward beanie, with pigtails (like I did for Braelyn's Abby Cadaby hat)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/5444013118" title="Abby Cadaby Hat by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Abby Cadaby Hat" height="240" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4150/5444013118_df60d01bf5_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Probably ribbed brim (but no turn up, because the pigtails are at the bottom).<br />
But ... how cute would a scalloped brim be for this? So it sort of looks like hair?!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lovemyfiber.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeNn6JYnS11xb_4kOBzhQelcQeLvg9c_ADRRUYkFzQfPnqiFztu6c8fYAeinQJPCQR4wQCguEGQbJoQAsmOLy09dZZGIpRxopPZN274yCq5RBhYVTYuNrZ766TPkApWtJvkqp3IAyU0c/s400/DSCN2187.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Found a very subtle sea scalloped edge in Beyond the Edge (LOVE having technique books around).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2P3LAsrAIts5qAoYTN75CmybmwUdV9X6qPsFnOszAa-V2QIDtLXmvoPZCK07yfPpky_mrYTY_XkDuuF1MmG3SzMJItnVLVq2CPfff0oHGhjSQHLCDBKs-JvQtaFWl8A34Z6sVyUnpaw/s1600/scalloped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2P3LAsrAIts5qAoYTN75CmybmwUdV9X6qPsFnOszAa-V2QIDtLXmvoPZCK07yfPpky_mrYTY_XkDuuF1MmG3SzMJItnVLVq2CPfff0oHGhjSQHLCDBKs-JvQtaFWl8A34Z6sVyUnpaw/s1600/scalloped.jpg" height="148" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There is also a Scalloped Cast on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://stringgeekery.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/scalloped-cast-on/" target="_blank"><img alt="f5666752-2" src="http://stringgeekery.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/f5666752-2.jpg?w=300&h=94" height="126" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Though I'm not sure I like the hole it creates. The other option is to go back after the hat is done and crochet a scalloped edge on the brim. Crochet scalloped edge seems to be much more common, and it doesn't leave a large hole in the center of each ridge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.maybematilda.com/2014/02/granny-stripe-blanket-tutorial-part-3.html#.VCB9IvldWSq" target="_blank"><img alt="scalloped border" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i7mtXcgREi0/UwE5w1kBcRI/AAAAAAAAGxI/yVRfnZJ2fBo/DSC_0017-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="328" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And finally a pink <a href="http://www.1dogwoof.com/2013/12/crochet-star-ornament-pattern.html" target="_blank">star applique.</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Crochet Star Ornament pattern. www.1dogwoof.com" src="http://www.1dogwoof.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/crochet_star_pin.jpg" height="400" width="262" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Yarn</b>:<br />
Dusty Purple<br />
<img height="300" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4150/5446962964_0ac238ddaf.jpg" width="400" /><br />
I have about 1/4 of a skein in my stash<br />
<br />
Pink<br />
<img height="300" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4154/5446967920_00021297a9.jpg" width="400" /><br />
I was debating using a "brighter" pink, like a Magenta or Rose<br />
<img alt="Product 860-142" src="http://cache.lionbrand.com/stores/eyarn/pictures/860-142b.jpg" height="171" width="200" /><br />
but I think that may be too purpley.<br />
I'll have to see when I get to the store if it looks better than online.<br />
Plus I have 1.95 skins of Pink, which should be enough.<br />
**Yes, Magenta and Raspberry were too purpley. And even though Pink wasn't quite bright enough, none of the others were quite right. Pink it will be.<br />
<br />
Just waiting for the PayPal to go through, and I'll be off!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690318025043996339.post-92204034897540951732014-09-16T19:25:00.001-04:002014-09-16T19:25:37.686-04:00Paper Bag BasketI'm doing some gift baskets for marketing purposes. Last time I just went to The Good Will and got a few baskets for $.50 or so each. But it was hard to find ones that were 1) not ugly, and 2) the size I wanted. Also I wasn't convinced of their cleanliness, and I wasn't sure how to wash them. Plus that's money, even if it's $.50. And it feels weird to have to go back and buy more baskets every time I want to do this.<br />
<br />
To the PINS!<br />
<br />
Found this ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ellinee.com/blog/diy-upcycled-fruit-basket/" target="_blank"><img alt="DIY Upcycled Fruit Basket" src="http://www.elli.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Basket6.jpg" height="400" width="273" /></a><br />
<br />
and this ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://doitandhow.com/2012/03/09/paper-woven-basket/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQn9mvr6r58U78odLAR_2pEBMnYxZt7IoL_NIohyMJvwRtHwwTUHWgRqrW7qwfauETw1n-Dp14r9pZTTJjYB_vm_N7OBDFsN9IO44BFv2dBiQ42YsumGvGtqCsYfv_ocxbipni4A7QWk/s1600/basket.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Both of them have the strips folded over the top and back down into the basket, which I didn't want to do (because it would mean the strips had to be pretty long).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's how I did mine ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1) Stock up on (or steal) some paper bags from the local grocery store. *Hint: hit up a self-checkout lane and double-bag to your heart's content. Also that rack of self-scanner guns at our Stop and Shop has a stack of bags so you can bag your groceries as you shop -- grab a stack and run!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15258487622" title="Paper Bag Basket (1) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (1)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/15258487622_4c575c2d45_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2) Cut the bag flat (like you would to make a book-cover). Cut up one seam, then around the base of the bag. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15072188340" title="Paper Bag Basket (2) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (2)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5556/15072188340_bc1acb6580_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15258491012" title="Paper Bag Basket (3) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (3)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3883/15258491012_35c2d915e5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3) Decide how long and how wide you want your strips. I made mine 3" wide, so when folded over they'd be about 1.25" wide, because that seemed to look nice. I wanted my basket to be about 9" square, which means the strips needed to be 18" long (9" across the bottom, and 4.5" up each side). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Measure and cut.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15258500182" title="Paper Bag Basket (4) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (4)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5556/15258500182_5bed532408_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15072200180" title="Paper Bag Basket (5) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (5)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/15072200180_b6be7f9f1b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
**Now, I'll be honest, I came to that 18" long because the bags I used first were 18" long. It just happened to work out really well. However, at my next shopping trip, they only had smaller bags (about 14-15" long), so I cut 3" wide strips, taped them together, and then cut 18" strips from that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15072315767" title="Paper Bag Basket (6) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (6)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/15072315767_b83dddacda_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
However you do it, you'll end up with a pile of strips. You'll need 20 strips for this basket (it will vary for different sizes).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15072129139" title="Paper Bag Basket (8) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (8)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/15072129139_d92811e537_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4) Fold the strips hot-dog style, leaving about a 3/8" to 1/2" lip.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15072130189" title="Paper Bag Basket (9) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (9)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5565/15072130189_6e827978bc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then fold the lip over.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15072326868" title="Paper Bag Basket (10) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (10)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3877/15072326868_a7d5dded36_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Do that 19 more times. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15072328308" title="Paper Bag Basket (11) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (11)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5583/15072328308_28f965f1ff_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5) Now pick your color! Sew around folded strip, back-stitching or lock-stitching at the beginning and end.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15235887246" title="Paper Bag Basket (12) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (12)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3840/15235887246_8797813853_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15235889376" title="Paper Bag Basket (13) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (13)" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3909/15235889376_541e503db0_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15258900545" title="Paper Bag Basket (14) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (14)" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5593/15258900545_e66052e587_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
6) Lay six strips (or however many you're using) right-side down, then basket-weave six more strips through them. Keep them straight and tight.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15075434379" title="Paper Bag Basket (15) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (15)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5554/15075434379_c865dbb9fc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Check that the weaves are centered by measuring the strips on each side.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15075436009" title="Paper Bag Basket (16) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (16)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/15075436009_4a54a13ecf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
7) Hot glue the corners and under each strip along the edge.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15075491540" title="Paper Bag Basket (17) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (17)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5561/15075491540_78feeaee56_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15261801852" title="Paper Bag Basket (18) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (18)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3886/15261801852_e90a73d85c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
8) Fold up each strip to make a crease for the corner.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15075439949" title="Paper Bag Basket (19) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (19)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/15075439949_83326ef1fe_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15261804652" title="Paper Bag Basket (20) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (20)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5596/15261804652_f1c63fba83_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
9) Attach another strip, following the basket-weave pattern around the edge.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15261805702" title="Paper Bag Basket (21) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (21)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5593/15261805702_521db31673_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15261806752" title="Paper Bag Basket (22) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (22)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5581/15261806752_fb9cf37d31_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15261807892" title="Paper Bag Basket (23) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (23)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/15261807892_c2506967b1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Attach another to make it all the way around, if needed.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15239185906" title="Paper Bag Basket (24) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (24)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3867/15239185906_f50598f43e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15075627598" title="Paper Bag Basket (25) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (25)" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3906/15075627598_cf1c01e44b_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<br />
Attach with hot glue.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15075502030" title="Paper Bag Basket (26) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (26)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3890/15075502030_4307c85b8e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Repeat with more strips around until you reach the top of your basket.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15075632478" title="Paper Bag Basket (28) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (28)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3868/15075632478_596dc7111a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
10) Fold over any excess strips so the top is even all the way around.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15075508680" title="Paper Bag Basket (31) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (31)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5579/15075508680_1562214645_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
11) Take the final two strips and fold them hot-dog style.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15075637988" title="Paper Bag Basket (30) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (30)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/15075637988_8d5b9e52be_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
12) Glue the folded strip over the top of the basket, all the way around.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15261821992" title="Paper Bag Basket (33) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (33)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3836/15261821992_e92466fd30_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Trim any tips of strips still poking out.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15262208185" title="Paper Bag Basket (34) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (34)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3846/15262208185_0fd3f0d201_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Make sure to glue underneath all folded pieces to the top layer lays flat.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15259120661" title="Paper Bag Basket (35) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (35)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3907/15259120661_5979cb66ec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
And you're done!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/molliiieee/15261827622" title="Paper Bag Basket (39) by Mollie Hartford, on Flickr"><img alt="Paper Bag Basket (39)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5573/15261827622_f34a176a4f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
**Note: because this is made out of paper bags, it will NOT be water-proof. I might try a clear spray-paint on one someday, but until then, it's just for dry things.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0