tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17225990861350603702024-03-05T07:34:33.335-08:00c(oi)n:pursemagic is in the jing-a-ling, not always the cha-ching...Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-79990066028804679712011-04-22T00:00:00.000-07:002011-04-22T00:06:04.793-07:00The Color Hive<div>In honor of Earth Day, I created the 'Color Hive' to share with you:<br /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458242143906200722" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 384px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksOdHJHl_7DP1QqhS0DMl4F-uVm1SLxtPRHZriDuAsMOu8j0LZM15uPqFuJm5hkKp_MvWkGQ7NFOoJPCAKzsVeTnqK4UC2LAmaTiDMr6zCI2cXP7wugunottFXh53Xd3o4wQP8u-17_E/s400/Color+Hive+01.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div>If you can't quite put your finger on what this reminds you of, here's a tip:<br /></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRTXxxf8pgIsj7YL2o3PN4eiQ-WAQhS_m81X0kUhAeC5AqX_jVHW0uAdXq92rkcy4jjXECarhUTVeyvmwBB78Z-R8uCRL-z28o5qccM2Zxl2xGT8oD8ukQe-qHLmMuPpG5nQ85uHt9-Y/s1600/Color+Hive+02.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458241191558986546" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 321px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRTXxxf8pgIsj7YL2o3PN4eiQ-WAQhS_m81X0kUhAeC5AqX_jVHW0uAdXq92rkcy4jjXECarhUTVeyvmwBB78Z-R8uCRL-z28o5qccM2Zxl2xGT8oD8ukQe-qHLmMuPpG5nQ85uHt9-Y/s400/Color+Hive+02.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div align="left">I've abused plenty of MS Office software to do <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/05/moh-hos-invite-suite.html">my</a> <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/07/moh-hos-thank-you-cards-downloadable.html">ghetto</a> <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/09/sweet-shower-invites-downloadable.html">"design"</a> <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2010/02/sweet-shower-thank-you-postcard.html">work</a> DIYing stationary, and in the process wasted a lot of time/scratch paper/ink to get the colors just right. Colors / shades on the computer screen can be quite different than what each printer produce, so printing this as a guide may be helpful in minimizing the steps and waste to get that perfect color.</div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*Originally I had made this in a full page PDF file for another free download, but I recently had to reimage my computer and I lost most of my templates in the process. I almost didn't post this but I figure it may still be useful if you print the top image.</span><br /><br /><div align="left">Enjoy, and Happy Earth Day!</div>Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-53121179571784530302010-10-11T22:13:00.000-07:002010-10-11T23:35:33.188-07:00DIY Mini 'Laundry' Calendar - v.2011I've gotten quite a few requests for an updated template of this little calendar (see original post <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/04/diy-mini-laundry-calendar.html">HERE</a>):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXDPyiwl-SYD4AE4B9LEd_oEn_4In-eh1PiEZ3N6o_gzEk7tQSZauUeeoVYdBhHfWeM-S65qTTyFEgF1Yi5JCppiK6I0RNw5HHbzCuWp08LaUpPsmtoiviVcjE3Qnl4tDbIL1O8lAzxU/s1600/calendar08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 730px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXDPyiwl-SYD4AE4B9LEd_oEn_4In-eh1PiEZ3N6o_gzEk7tQSZauUeeoVYdBhHfWeM-S65qTTyFEgF1Yi5JCppiK6I0RNw5HHbzCuWp08LaUpPsmtoiviVcjE3Qnl4tDbIL1O8lAzxU/s1600/calendar08.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />So I woke from my blog-hibernation briefly, updated the template and posted it for you to download. You can go to the original post for detailed instructions on how to make this. I added a calendar cover and a few more tag options in the new template, and it covers October 2010 through March 2012.<br /><br />Download 2011 template <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/39156575/GT-Calendar">HERE</a><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/04/diy-mini-laundry-calendar.html"><br /></a>Original post with DIY instructions can be found <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/04/diy-mini-laundry-calendar.html">HERE</a><br /><br />Goin' back to bed now, happy crafting!Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-24415284103466796902010-03-29T08:25:00.000-07:002010-03-29T13:11:35.804-07:00Double Dipping Asian Cucumber Salad<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BXepg93-h8-BhJB6QKzH17kjSj1gbOJqnWmunSEr7mxZhEgQAZmphyphenhyphenTpEBKzZ11Me6U_0Z5Di4cklfu9PYn3TjPmlOyak0DAas0ZlU5WDg8F-3IatrEV1HL9nHDN6HiTvbXMKbC_KsA/s1600/cucumber+salad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453891934271123442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BXepg93-h8-BhJB6QKzH17kjSj1gbOJqnWmunSEr7mxZhEgQAZmphyphenhyphenTpEBKzZ11Me6U_0Z5Di4cklfu9PYn3TjPmlOyak0DAas0ZlU5WDg8F-3IatrEV1HL9nHDN6HiTvbXMKbC_KsA/s1600/cucumber+salad.jpg" border="0" /></a>Da hubs can't get enough of these, so I figured out how to use the marinade twice. The first batch is always devoured in one sitting, the second batch makes a happy healthy snack for the next day or two.<br /><br /><br />Need:<br /><ul><li>2 cucumbers/english cucumbers</li><li>1/2 tbsp salt </li><li>1/2 cup rice vinegar</li><li>1/8 cup water</li><li>1 tbsp soy sauce</li><li>1 tbsp sugar</li><li>1/2 tbsp red pepper flakes (optional, use 1 tbsp for extra spicy) </li><li>1/2 tbsp granulated garlic</li><li>1 tsp sesame oil</li><li>1/2 tbsp roasted sesame seeds (optional)<br /></li></ul><p>Do: </p><ol><li>Peel cucumber and half it length wise, use a small spoon to rid the seeds</li><li>Slice cucumbers (~1/4" thick)</li><li>Add salt to the cucumbers and mix well, fridge in a colander for 2 hours*</li><li>Mix everything else except the sesame seed in a medium bowl</li><li>Add cucumbers, toss to coat</li><li>Fridge for at least an hour</li><li>Drain, reserving the marinade</li><li>Add sesame seeds, toss<br /></li></ol>To Double Dip:<br /><ol><li>Repeat steps 1-3 above with another 2 cucumbers & 1/2 tbsp salt</li><li>Add the following to the reserved marinade: 1 tsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp red pepper flakes </li><li>Repeat steps 5-8 above, but fridge overnight and toss the marinade this time<br /></li></ol><span style="font-size:85%;">* this make the cucumbers 'sweat' so the marinade is less diluted and reusable, don't forget to put something below the colander to catch the the drippings</span><br /><br /><br />Happy Nomming!Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-4483187917442159532010-02-20T13:48:00.000-08:002010-02-20T13:49:11.325-08:00Sweet Shower Thank You Postcard (Downloadable Template Included)As promised, here are the matching thank-yous to <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/09/sweet-shower-invites-downloadable.html">MOH-Ho's shower invites</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8btJzudr14ygEA5n9Uly1dZDww0-5g06WJFEVywN8eCslGmfJ10BgftO6_41KLZBfkPZ59FSKjaKrQLBQ_a2k9mggR3NDxjNlDSzHXvkwvRB1cDW5L3Ay7R38Oncui69ZQ3eKKJtGcOM/s1600-h/sweet+TY+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8btJzudr14ygEA5n9Uly1dZDww0-5g06WJFEVywN8eCslGmfJ10BgftO6_41KLZBfkPZ59FSKjaKrQLBQ_a2k9mggR3NDxjNlDSzHXvkwvRB1cDW5L3Ay7R38Oncui69ZQ3eKKJtGcOM/s1600/sweet+TY+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386955639344681186" border="0" /></a><br />I designed several back options for MOH-Ho to choose from. My favorite was the cleaner looking centered print...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDr-I518iR-l7tApxSZq-N3kNFmN5_vuzIlM1RmdF39JJ5YdyUxGIcM4EKsY4d8dZzmv8ifFAUHZN1g3Ihwi4Ec5OZLAIAc0bl2TCsY1gbWorm8ge-abxP7kfYVE6fIOPLazJEwXTSsg/s1600-h/sweet+TY+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDr-I518iR-l7tApxSZq-N3kNFmN5_vuzIlM1RmdF39JJ5YdyUxGIcM4EKsY4d8dZzmv8ifFAUHZN1g3Ihwi4Ec5OZLAIAc0bl2TCsY1gbWorm8ge-abxP7kfYVE6fIOPLazJEwXTSsg/s1600/sweet+TY+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386955652244502194" border="0" /></a><br />but she preferred the one that had the lighter background pink text with the the original <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/09/sweet-shower-invites-downloadable.html">'Sugar Spice Nice'</a> reference.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZdhdipuFcG5EcPYV1vizFo9bntnsCvlq3VhyphenhyphenF5gz_RfDLZ215Ea4AYFf95n0ZY23VUiyx0lE_EgYDF4MO_iMREI-viJTeHQn26UJVCn34G6VWeSKLwCgKYkAq1WwLBa-W5BuOarMs6A/s1600-h/sweet+TY+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZdhdipuFcG5EcPYV1vizFo9bntnsCvlq3VhyphenhyphenF5gz_RfDLZ215Ea4AYFf95n0ZY23VUiyx0lE_EgYDF4MO_iMREI-viJTeHQn26UJVCn34G6VWeSKLwCgKYkAq1WwLBa-W5BuOarMs6A/s1600/sweet+TY+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386955659491927346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Like <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/07/moh-hos-thank-you-cards-downloadable.html">her wedding invitation thank-you cards</a>, I designed this to print on one side with the optional backside if you can get it to line up right. I'm putting up both our favorite options for download.<br /><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/27175856/Sweet-Shower-Thank-You-Postcard"><br />CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS TEMPLATE</a><br /><br />Enjoy!Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-23066626605000647482010-02-11T09:30:00.000-08:002010-02-11T09:30:00.087-08:00DIY Packaging Air PillowsI needed small air pillows to package <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2010/02/diy-song-themed-valentine-if-stars-were.html">the little valentines</a> for mailing, so I did some recycling and made my own: <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433534560555516546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pFd8uwijRfrMSMZnqxT93U6eSDyhh1nc_CCne8jCC6lMzAF2-PREIU2Vyt9DSOilAVBgVlfs__-GLSngZy0tD6ts5gJRMj7JOiuKGiVogPx0HD4-zji4QgGjzOAf5hNZEQUEcdcZvXQ/s1600/air+pillow+11.jpg" border="0" /><br />Left over from all my online holiday shopping were tons of these air pillows too big for this application:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433534236792776594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54bkC_xS1-J_DlBn9yaGIJTsPpFrH5XiIbTDhfiq9NfgHuxBTOwYlW0hDD9iZvVZyiUgCBkggO9g3xIzaa3Omihs7-40Bi4HBbsiQkrZ-dKYp1rJj8EhODhgY8abmb1MKEksRbOoW2Us/s1600/air+pillow+01.jpg" border="0" /> So I cut out the sealed edges of each pillow:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433534242048574466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S6ENP_Y24r4-96FKWGFFMbqSOnhWH7cWOrWezQevvBwRUIJgnjy74L2l9oDoimwdOTymj4OogWlvIJf_CzFpwZ2CPbCQ08cyFLujgrLntYuLdh2A6faB7-yQQeUCs-sxNJfuD7X5lUg/s1600/air+pillow+02.jpg" border="0" /> And also cut out any part with printing on it, leaving me with just the clear plastic:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433534250350238706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRVbrPPZ1zZRJd-OKsDqqfaoTdeU9iSLsnl2_uksNgzSRMEe2Zu9QJ8rRy-xlGA3Hu3MawU4e6ZcNDEapHtW8G2wvAoVv60IRY22kWdFRwQ6FXn1YvuT8eVzcbHIxF8slvYF1pEQSzFY/s1600/air+pillow+03.jpg" border="0" /> I folded the clear piece in half:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433534257099707266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDUYMNU4G9hjFvYSEobl8wJSlP8CSNGawEaQ5nYk0k6vXmiAM0uDWCfSjU1TQH16yFp3BkOM2oFOOtv8hHw2Vocx4v1Kk13Ly0onX6q4OjMdmd1f6kj4yhYJRODeXOQNSbAXew0iWDLg/s1600/air+pillow+04.jpg" border="0" /> Resealed all the edges with my suckie-suckie (aka food saver):<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436716915008898114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhre-7BF4m7h-rk1rAA05XM9siLgiyvreeuLTxACp9Lnl_A5yM7Nqy-UW1xwsA_seEymmQMDwYL7LwfdyjEpktd3Ble2k1HoylBasDrgbgRUoFODR4xElNacjek3hewd7X9zdGTaR5PpIY/s1600/air+pillow+06.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433534441965799474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbRHCtrj8yHh_XfnfQ2vDGJ_G7st11QKqVCFJzownNY0GPhG2pYSeEr44ju5WDa7Z-1X_9LQFS7LmNn6aDm3FQ1pSBCDKX8uBpvH7iwwWVvuaWUcjsyaADUS6eybn6UtaFUx5wgAQ5Hs/s1600/air+pillow+08.jpg" border="0" /><br />Then I snipped off a little corner to fit a straw through (a fun option: insert confetti of your choice) and give it a quick puff:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433534448015664978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjFJVMzBDush-nZm0rfS62uX7dcNKtc9Z0qSxR7rEGb61gs50ArMWk5A0EFIkVzLRqnwudLRSkvBV_dQm3-gXvbe1BlQOHfr-yqSyFkWcX3c7FK7024NXJ_jQS_BVzzugYis-WXBZFWE/s1600/air+pillow+09.jpg" border="0" />Bring that snipped corner back to the suckie-suckie for sealing again:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433534454283369442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9C5riPZjGWxAM2cxScMvfJvLU8cIDd0CO53Kahp5gopN4FEDU1SN9D4qCxftPhbyW-jA3SOQ4fiNIMzi_30r9gSRoQ5nmVX1Z_fsTE7b07JscNcDPfamjz6i9DppV5LJ7ggUHV3JK0Q0/s1600/air+pillow+10.jpg" border="0" />Voila!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433534581936430162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTM7zhZVOh0Pti-5V4J1-El60saXAyc9phmjA9nbZe3NCuj-Llgn5I52E-k2ixIvKWtBzuHqp1_MGEVsmz1D9nhyphenhyphenwtVLrI4R7sKTiYxJraDiYdQOQ0m9JMYC5o4d4PS7OUQVs2a0YG3U/s1600/air+pillow+12.jpg" border="0" />Notes:<br /><ul><li>Even if you're not looking to alter the size, snipping air pillow corners can let the air out and flatten for easy storage. You can then reuse these with a quick puff and seal whenever you need them.</li><li>Other soft plastic pieces can be use to make these, look around for plastic wraps that are (unfortunately) all around us!</li><li>Suckie-suckie made this project easy, but with some testing I imagine many heat sources can produce the same results.</li></ul><p>Happy crafting!</p>Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-43834786803645476762010-02-06T23:54:00.000-08:002010-02-07T09:00:43.304-08:00DIY Song Themed Valentine (If The Stars Were Mine)Like <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/02/diy-bee-mine-magnets.html">last year</a>, I made little packages to send out as valentines. This year each box is built based on lyrics from this beautiful song (<span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.mixpod.com/playlist/43477323">press play</a></span>):<img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNjU*ODg1MTQxNjYmcHQ9MTI2NTQ4ODcyMTg4NiZwPTE4MDMxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWFmZDQ1MjYwMzdhOTQzZWI5YzQ1/NDMxOWM5MDBlYWM*.gif" border="0" height="0" width="0" /><div><center><p style="visibility: visible;"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://assets.myflashfetish.com/swf/mp3/mp-sk.swf" style="width: 200px; height: 90px;" height="90" width="200"><param name="movie" value="http://assets.myflashfetish.com/swf/mp3/mp-sk.swf"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="scale" value="0.5"><param name="salign" value="TL"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="flashvars" value="myid=43477323&path=2010/02/06&mycolor=BF9963&mycolor2=D1C48C&mycolor3=857373&autoplay=false&rand=0&f=4&vol=100&pat=0&grad=false&ow=200&oh=90"></object></p></center>Since the very first time I heard it, I had wanted to '<span style="font-style: italic;">put the stars right in a jar and give them all to...</span>' ehh... somebody, ANYBODY! Valentine's day finally came around and gave me an excuse to do this without creeping people out:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi620eCOZ8v8AIM8LgEn2krWw4mE8m_ap9eRn_OeRlXWUCzxBP0Kmm75B7Kf1r1nKjJeLISj736LrjrwTqARnxRPU8k9Jkfgkup1ik32k0w7b5TM-prF9Upq3wFUn2BUtYwaCeSiPu8uao/s1600-h/song+valentine+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi620eCOZ8v8AIM8LgEn2krWw4mE8m_ap9eRn_OeRlXWUCzxBP0Kmm75B7Kf1r1nKjJeLISj736LrjrwTqARnxRPU8k9Jkfgkup1ik32k0w7b5TM-prF9Upq3wFUn2BUtYwaCeSiPu8uao/s1600/song+valentine+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435338946949249298" border="0" /></a>Initially I wanted to baked some Green Tea cookies for the project. MOH-Ho brought over <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/green-tea-shortbread-leaves">a recipe from Martha</a> and we made some freaking adorable star cookies:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqh7kbMAsYm9aKOYVrzz3oT-cnmO0s7jSRdxdm45vERa_rbXY_t-WobdPFUjruoqdud-GCEjQBcRGb5hsGaxsP_X8scuKWTOTViGpRhNrDcWEcn_hECibCl3OUiyYFWe8iIp5McRkb9s/s1600-h/song+valentine+02.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433531740310372354" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqh7kbMAsYm9aKOYVrzz3oT-cnmO0s7jSRdxdm45vERa_rbXY_t-WobdPFUjruoqdud-GCEjQBcRGb5hsGaxsP_X8scuKWTOTViGpRhNrDcWEcn_hECibCl3OUiyYFWe8iIp5McRkb9s/s1600/song+valentine+02.jpg" border="0" /></a>but DUDE they tasted like @$$!<br /><br />So we switched gears and turned to a basic sugar cookies recipe. We made what felt like a gazillion batches of these puffy little suckers before getting them to turn out just the right size to fit in those tiny glass hinged jars:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmAI5jOdGs5tGZvGnFKFxgKNWn-3zyQGjMS7GbQQLTLznS5w6sf5Zc7n8FjwhbOVc-_5G4Z3qgZBUw8-D38Gm9_WN1JzTjHxWP8Wgmnd4ZmlGh1qsIbbM_cRY_I2MOD0uSPGc5FBj3-0/s1600-h/song+valentine+01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433531733544327442" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmAI5jOdGs5tGZvGnFKFxgKNWn-3zyQGjMS7GbQQLTLznS5w6sf5Zc7n8FjwhbOVc-_5G4Z3qgZBUw8-D38Gm9_WN1JzTjHxWP8Wgmnd4ZmlGh1qsIbbM_cRY_I2MOD0uSPGc5FBj3-0/s1600/song+valentine+01.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27Bq9W4NPAhd0FbVLj6DyJD_ij3fiU8DW44BAWqjnNcBD0IWEnkp3V71NIdRSBVdQ-MrBRPlGWbeDQo6CjjCTRfGhg8Opi0UfsXktMac-4PrU5R_6F1fijoeq4PJULN9SSBPxg4lW_SM/s1600-h/song+valentine+03.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433531743262096226" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27Bq9W4NPAhd0FbVLj6DyJD_ij3fiU8DW44BAWqjnNcBD0IWEnkp3V71NIdRSBVdQ-MrBRPlGWbeDQo6CjjCTRfGhg8Opi0UfsXktMac-4PrU5R_6F1fijoeq4PJULN9SSBPxg4lW_SM/s1600/song+valentine+03.jpg" border="0" /></a>The package wouldn't make much sense without the song, so I burned the song onto these business card size mini-CDs. For the label, I drew a simple bird silhouette sitting on a 'wire' of the corresponding lyrics '<span style="font-style: italic;">I'd teach the birds such lovely words and make them sing for you</span>':<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRj1sKMSZ3CcXDmRO-msAIUAH5rFiK0Kbnm9IWyJxEPPNSmIPWXllnCfVfcWFFh4b1pHUOqzGwTyHRjQ7sQOncS1f-7Q3T8PAJRQEiLZehuSiWiGUBhNDtfjzJS8OuXlC3qWfIeRWm2g/s1600-h/song+valentine+08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433532088957089250" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRj1sKMSZ3CcXDmRO-msAIUAH5rFiK0Kbnm9IWyJxEPPNSmIPWXllnCfVfcWFFh4b1pHUOqzGwTyHRjQ7sQOncS1f-7Q3T8PAJRQEiLZehuSiWiGUBhNDtfjzJS8OuXlC3qWfIeRWm2g/s1600/song+valentine+08.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">[Keeping it legal: Turns out Amazon doesn't let you purchase the same MP3 more than once, making the purchase of multiple copies difficult (I assume it's similar on other music sites). You can get around it by buying different versions, set up multiple accounts, use the spouse's account, or purchase from various sites.]</span><br /><br />To illustrate the final part of the chorus '<span style="font-style: italic;">wrap the world in ribbons</span>', I printed the lyrics with an antique world map graphic background on linen paper. I hand tore out each map for the frayed edges effect, rolled it up, and wrapped it with coordinating ribbons:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrlK6QAGwWc8mftw4GivUO756KP3Hbjpu_Zgu7_yiPNEHHaAEu6fM_yoPw5gm6mUqE5symupddS5l275_XoTB44JF0oZYI-MtobC9NfiWawcozmBZ3HO6Tbjt7wFsoY60f8KyVGRqzqA/s1600-h/song+valentine+10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433532096139657794" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 500px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrlK6QAGwWc8mftw4GivUO756KP3Hbjpu_Zgu7_yiPNEHHaAEu6fM_yoPw5gm6mUqE5symupddS5l275_XoTB44JF0oZYI-MtobC9NfiWawcozmBZ3HO6Tbjt7wFsoY60f8KyVGRqzqA/s1600/song+valentine+10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Then I packed them up in little boxes and off in the mail they went:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojVT_IWzoznQzL-Bv3egZC6RoTVESDiAeKE0XtLt_FwAbs9YoQlooownjLKgheo4XSwISWiNsWFDffwGKbszc7uHQmBagnVs9wqUcywAABd93Qg8cOATJBdbJ8sUVW3CsEgtEAMFurPQ/s1600-h/song+valentine+05.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433531758268525618" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojVT_IWzoznQzL-Bv3egZC6RoTVESDiAeKE0XtLt_FwAbs9YoQlooownjLKgheo4XSwISWiNsWFDffwGKbszc7uHQmBagnVs9wqUcywAABd93Qg8cOATJBdbJ8sUVW3CsEgtEAMFurPQ/s1600/song+valentine+05.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqOtin0-dsOH0FinZMt9diQ37PNrCXBmUtynpxoZbg23IT8wlMWy-Gduhvc5adoOaVd71Agfn-zZr0-bm8bOf0gSZXfebMHp0u68Dtr3iV-G56YxcMY9utUtNYifpq5UANRc6MQ4JK04/s1600-h/song+valentine+04.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433531751829686258" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqOtin0-dsOH0FinZMt9diQ37PNrCXBmUtynpxoZbg23IT8wlMWy-Gduhvc5adoOaVd71Agfn-zZr0-bm8bOf0gSZXfebMHp0u68Dtr3iV-G56YxcMY9utUtNYifpq5UANRc6MQ4JK04/s1600/song+valentine+04.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />... though not before I DIYed coordinating packing materials that made EVERYONE roll their eyes. That will have to be another post, but I'll leave you with the lyrics of...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If The Stars Were Mine by Melody Gardot</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >If the stars were mine</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd give them all to you</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd pluck them down right from the sky</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >and leave it only blue</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I would never let the sun forget to shine upon your face</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >so when others would have rain clouds you'd have only sunny days</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >If the stars were mine</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd tell you what I'd do</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd put the stars right in a jar and give them all to you</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >If the birds were mine</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd tell them when to sing</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd make them sing a sonnet when your telephone would ring</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I would put them there inside the square, whenever you went out</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >so there'd always be sweet music whenever you would walk about</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >If the birds were mine</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd tell you what I'd do</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd teach the birds such lovely words and make them sing for you</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd teach the birds such lovely words and make them sing for you</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >If the world was mine</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd paint it gold and green</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd make the oceans orange for a brilliant color scheme</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I would color all the mountains, make the sky forever blue</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >So the world would be a painting and I'd live inside with you</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >If the world was mine</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd tell you what I'd do</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd wrap the world in ribbons and then give it all to you</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd teach the birds such lovely words and make them sing for you</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I'd put those stars right in a jar...and..........</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >give them all...to you.......</span>Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-9689313775291326422010-02-04T08:54:00.000-08:002010-02-04T08:54:00.468-08:00Sweet Shower: Fun and GamesComing up with games for the shower had me pulling out my hair. I had never been to a bridal shower and had no clue what's fun to a bunch of women with ages/interests/backgrounds that are all over the map.<br /><br />So I went with what I know best - sticking to the theme.<br /><div></div><br /><div>For the ice-breaker, I armed MOH-Ho with a stack of labels with names of different character associated with food (from Julia Child to Mrs. Butterworth) to greet the guests with. Here's a shot of MOH-Ho with her new identity as the Morton's Salt Girl:<br /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433510812647570338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpr9F02EYeRSyCzkj0K9sG-UsZGDd11oQGERfwEmPJY_bwRaaueZbjYUc-cZmCjN1FF-yRbpuyZrAFEealKe-PmnT31MV6OJrs2BZjEJUTKibyNBeEYwkysas2P4PQ4e7HNMHIU9KW69I/s1600/shower+games+08.jpg" border="0" />She'd go hug her hellos, stick the label on each guest's back, and explained the rules (guess who you are by asking people only yes or no questions). This worked out wonderfully because it gave MOH-Ho brief one-on-one time with each individual as soon as they came in, and the labels ensured she would not miss a soul. It also gave guests an easy topic to mingle with. There were a lot of 'ooo, you've got a good one!' and/or 'do you know who you are yet?' going around even among those meeting for the first time.<br /><br />Next to the <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/sweet-shower-details.html">cake plate guest book</a>, I set up a couple games for guests to get to at their leisure. The first one is a simple guess-the-number-of-candy-in-jar game:<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXUecrtkeIfygzshF1XD6-j2PQugUole0z2FQO0O2Hwf797kst0fP750xuxVM2CB2lvRG37yeonUHpTh9hfcN1mU0IQIea75GEUHyCtbiHTrUFAA2P5f9IGTOi79c6gF4mQfc86EsQIo/s1600-h/shower+games+07.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433507285299709794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXUecrtkeIfygzshF1XD6-j2PQugUole0z2FQO0O2Hwf797kst0fP750xuxVM2CB2lvRG37yeonUHpTh9hfcN1mU0IQIea75GEUHyCtbiHTrUFAA2P5f9IGTOi79c6gF4mQfc86EsQIo/s1600/shower+games+07.jpg" border="0" /></a> White chocolate raspberry almond M&M's was the perfect sweet and pink for this:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433507282639930546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMivRGoffkzj_yGlxcXJNfi3rEnCYvqm6PjmFn9oNb_uuP2oKjusRYsBRadeoZ1_Bgr8_uZLy99ZYjgHtz9qwCbUAfTFIFmQKyaG9Jd4He0rxg5dBxoD2l4IIOfzzBhcQETJMdPHNE60/s1600/shower+games+06.jpg" border="0" />It took some looking to find a jar to house 116 candies (11-6 was MOH-Ho's wedding date) just right! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1cf85_LM6dg3kwPqrDkiTxFN6ecaOffaOG1S_9w8LoNEqXQ6GKBq0Kn2IG6Znlynort1Mg9cNYLKzdJDTg_KlVgmRUimX9ZTLYjl6OWEhmrYUwFm6GqGVr8xpeNx6glZsXZbONiLM0s/s1600-h/shower+games+05.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433507184450998338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1cf85_LM6dg3kwPqrDkiTxFN6ecaOffaOG1S_9w8LoNEqXQ6GKBq0Kn2IG6Znlynort1Mg9cNYLKzdJDTg_KlVgmRUimX9ZTLYjl6OWEhmrYUwFm6GqGVr8xpeNx6glZsXZbONiLM0s/s1600/shower+games+05.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The second game set up on the table had the ladies guessing jars of spices covered by tissue paper with small holes. By mainly sniffing, guests were to identify the spices. The game cards coordinated with the invite suite like everything else, but they were nothing special so I didn't take a photo. Here a digital snapshot though: <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkQUbTwKXEwXI3R1OgGp1teQUDGOI3GdrAcdx6oS_kkAUBM7k3QS5kB6b4yIr0ypJzgTy952KfU3QlOyZOsmJ7R3zcL8oRf4GPzKKzpe1Bng5JFhcjmg_KdggaLszEBtxl_Qkyxwm8x8/s1600-h/shower+games+09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434266143715586434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkQUbTwKXEwXI3R1OgGp1teQUDGOI3GdrAcdx6oS_kkAUBM7k3QS5kB6b4yIr0ypJzgTy952KfU3QlOyZOsmJ7R3zcL8oRf4GPzKKzpe1Bng5JFhcjmg_KdggaLszEBtxl_Qkyxwm8x8/s400/shower+games+09.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br />The last game was the most fun as it gathered the guests together for some chuckles. I made these game cards with 5 themey questions (see pics of front and back below). Guests answers were read to MOH-Ho and each author of her favorite answers won a prize.<br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbVzHxvd0o6eFENtEAfvXZlOQacSHfVa5XcFzJ6ySKuKiFXjKY4oJ6MgazPErTcj-Jmt7bkyj22FVjvarI_ki1V54RyohXJVxuZfXd9aBT-4oQ_AFvxhjJy4zmsG-G9HEHkM48SFn9jA/s1600-h/shower+games+04.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433507181080388146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbVzHxvd0o6eFENtEAfvXZlOQacSHfVa5XcFzJ6ySKuKiFXjKY4oJ6MgazPErTcj-Jmt7bkyj22FVjvarI_ki1V54RyohXJVxuZfXd9aBT-4oQ_AFvxhjJy4zmsG-G9HEHkM48SFn9jA/s1600/shower+games+04.jpg" border="0" /></a>I had MOH-Ho's now hubby read all the answers to her. It was a great way to involve the groom, and it bought me time away to figure out the winners of the other games.<br /></p><p>If I recall correctly, Momma MOH-Ho was the winner for the first question with 'Chip Clip'. Many answers, along with MOH-Ho's responses to them, tickled funny bones around the room.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirEmHlD96BTeVzwfCThfxOK6Jr58K2LMTvpuOCI45s9BtsTWPC9QSja8bwIOOClinVbLA_qNcK9r0x-KUyBOIe2651ey9YoWCEuCKNG-RmEfiIks3u4XptPmJC9fOup98dhrfTqmKH8w/s1600-h/shower+games+03.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433507172644128674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirEmHlD96BTeVzwfCThfxOK6Jr58K2LMTvpuOCI45s9BtsTWPC9QSja8bwIOOClinVbLA_qNcK9r0x-KUyBOIe2651ey9YoWCEuCKNG-RmEfiIks3u4XptPmJC9fOup98dhrfTqmKH8w/s1600/shower+games+03.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Games are best when there are prizes, and it's fun adding a little competition. Since MOH-Ho's choice of a Pampered Chef shower eliminated the gift opening portion of a standard shower, having her award prizes gave something for the guests to unwrap and 'ooo-and-ahh' a little bit over. Again I chose some food related items (for the candy jar game, winner took home the jar with the M&M's):<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433507159113260002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2OyjKeeFULCKsiS-9wCsPo80TXQFEGd71Fa2VuzWgN3vunvyZ4KU4tNPJvCQO3CrilFkxVOkDUKZiVeM7tIzAd718IMaIxWfPtTFoSlBoRaQQnpYhUQGPvf73dWEDRk8_8Od89qHSoQ/s1600/shower+games+01.jpg" border="0" />I decorated some of the wrapper with left over vellum strips from the <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/diy-vanilla-extract-and-vanilla-sugar.html">vanilla extract & sugar favors project</a> (which were scraps from the <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/09/sweet-shower-invites-downloadable.html">shower invite envelopes</a>):<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433507162858574754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAuDGdZiuIVWfjxWonXfpVt3svxhZZdjO_OdNU_zOwmvLaDJ7FVBiS6bre3v10DIalMcBhMoeEYF2e-Y2l2xX6-5Qthj5ZevxLAj5H1jYNa_ybCXGlBuWnWhCYqMOF-3nT26O2uWfYmE/s1600/shower+games+02.jpg" border="0" /><br />I also bought a half pound box of See's truffles as a raffle prize. To encourage guests to participate in the games, the game cards were used as raffle tickets for the final prize.</p>That's it, and it all worked out surprisingly really well!<br /><br />What are your favorite shower games?Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-8690792711859442802010-02-02T08:26:00.000-08:002010-02-02T08:26:00.074-08:00Sweet Shower: DIY Letter DisplayI left you hanging on the sugary details on the shower I threw for MOH-Ho. My bad. I'm trying to get my shiznit together now and at least finish this mini-series (previous episodes: <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/09/sweet-shower-invites-downloadable.html">one</a>, <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/sweet-shower-deweecious-setup.html">two</a>, <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/sweet-shower-details.html">three</a>, <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/diy-vanilla-extract-and-vanilla-sugar.html">four</a>, & <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/diy-sugar-cube-place-card-holder.html">five</a>). To ease you back into this, I'll show you a simple DIY decoration project.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrf8xhW9IoHeWzx8y1P1JOQVFcLvejfaF90gcnXxfyx77wgZFYzjkLco-b3f9otxxDJDyNqqwoUV3qhE97wu-1yJz6-1nu1H4hzh96FmAQCO1IaMl1O89k87_j9Xga2wekM7frZ333y5U/s1600-h/sugar+letters+display+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrf8xhW9IoHeWzx8y1P1JOQVFcLvejfaF90gcnXxfyx77wgZFYzjkLco-b3f9otxxDJDyNqqwoUV3qhE97wu-1yJz6-1nu1H4hzh96FmAQCO1IaMl1O89k87_j9Xga2wekM7frZ333y5U/s1600/sugar+letters+display+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433501284338709586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15HOXLQA4lv70hlaVDMDB4DZyRzt4aZ6sz3b2tKV9p1N2t2tmpUL8iLcy9mhMCWc_ctQ8pG3K1oAeGIkILJxzKtN0yb_g_QPdO-ll5YiWahh5bGbJg2mHE7GxwEucUT0Z5-gnJgOxtds/s1600-h/sugar+letters+display+02.jpg"><br /></a><div> </div>In the clubhouse where the shower was held, there's a kitchen with a breakfast bar. I wanted to keep most of the bar top open for guests to set drinks on but without leaving it bare and boring. Matching the rest of the shower stuff, I picked out 5 shades of coordinating pinks in graduating darkness to paint the wooden letters S-U-G-A-R:<br /><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVexng7dQSdACaVDhqvVH70Ns0MTjTWgUmX0iBBOgUcKYjRsKj8oMvvr3C_Drj5rZ1JnSE0WNxTkIKZhCA9cwFPBj9zGIWoyIJ1W5UnEcRhWU38TJl2THISydqJCojBH9hVKubMLL5z9U/s1600-h/sugar+letters+display+05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVexng7dQSdACaVDhqvVH70Ns0MTjTWgUmX0iBBOgUcKYjRsKj8oMvvr3C_Drj5rZ1JnSE0WNxTkIKZhCA9cwFPBj9zGIWoyIJ1W5UnEcRhWU38TJl2THISydqJCojBH9hVKubMLL5z9U/s1600/sugar+letters+display+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433501294490625458" border="0" /></a><div> </div><br /><div>To display them, I bought some single serving trifle dishes which MOH-Ho had mentioned several times that she wanted but couldn't justify buying. They not only went well with the baking/dessert theme, but had a loving home after the shower. I added some table sugar to hold up the letters and establish a white base to help the pinks pop:<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15HOXLQA4lv70hlaVDMDB4DZyRzt4aZ6sz3b2tKV9p1N2t2tmpUL8iLcy9mhMCWc_ctQ8pG3K1oAeGIkILJxzKtN0yb_g_QPdO-ll5YiWahh5bGbJg2mHE7GxwEucUT0Z5-gnJgOxtds/s1600-h/sugar+letters+display+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15HOXLQA4lv70hlaVDMDB4DZyRzt4aZ6sz3b2tKV9p1N2t2tmpUL8iLcy9mhMCWc_ctQ8pG3K1oAeGIkILJxzKtN0yb_g_QPdO-ll5YiWahh5bGbJg2mHE7GxwEucUT0Z5-gnJgOxtds/s1600/sugar+letters+display+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433501275111303554" border="0" /></a><div> </div><br /><div>These didn't take up much room, but effectively greeted the guests as they walked in.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXlunBNAgjugCGYDoCtvwvaZ3eHPNtcpXI4X5YffMlc0WyXUloZPDVLInnqt5RhkDda5yfDcHaW4Enf7DvXx_w2o-S0Gvt9hrIuPCwwW6C-t1-dymVS6AyWvVQ0_etQ5dsdArqOHlq1o/s1600-h/sugar+letters+display+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXlunBNAgjugCGYDoCtvwvaZ3eHPNtcpXI4X5YffMlc0WyXUloZPDVLInnqt5RhkDda5yfDcHaW4Enf7DvXx_w2o-S0Gvt9hrIuPCwwW6C-t1-dymVS6AyWvVQ0_etQ5dsdArqOHlq1o/s1600/sugar+letters+display+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433515921477090530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNN8PiaId6BWag8NXab8BH6-10mOpx9rrMQm0-pSK20tzHB5F0Cr8Zd7UiNBDqb26RkLDXCaILSbRtq7NNogij1HAoMa_PXyH2hrtvr0FyAw4fzjJ_01NqXAcS1rrTb9GD0fKe-tuB7Y/s1600-h/sugar+letters+display+01.jpg"></a><div> </div><br /><div> </div>This simple idea is cost efficient, not too wasteful, and easy to make. Using wide-mouth containers (perhaps bowls/jars/glasses that you already own), some wooden/paper block letters, and any powder/grain for base, this idea can easily be adapted to fit many themes :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC489ekhErHCvVwkPavoS3Enkvkhv32p5-e3mX64988Xsmt7XqwjqTmyZeId_pJ1_ocAMNinfIZce1Jr6jyaFSYp3jQk7X6wt2v93OU9WQgx9ps6uZpxv7pViq4qrhD05AXkG-fS-UX90/s1600-h/sugar+letters+display+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC489ekhErHCvVwkPavoS3Enkvkhv32p5-e3mX64988Xsmt7XqwjqTmyZeId_pJ1_ocAMNinfIZce1Jr6jyaFSYp3jQk7X6wt2v93OU9WQgx9ps6uZpxv7pViq4qrhD05AXkG-fS-UX90/s1600/sugar+letters+display+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433501279516819362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrf8xhW9IoHeWzx8y1P1JOQVFcLvejfaF90gcnXxfyx77wgZFYzjkLco-b3f9otxxDJDyNqqwoUV3qhE97wu-1yJz6-1nu1H4hzh96FmAQCO1IaMl1O89k87_j9Xga2wekM7frZ333y5U/s1600-h/sugar+letters+display+04.jpg"></a><div> </div><br /><div>Happy Crafting!<br /></div><br /><div> </div>Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-55517053464099640912009-12-20T14:32:00.000-08:002010-03-29T09:42:00.939-07:00DIY Peppermint Mocha'The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.' But since 'I <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">can</span> sing, I just choose <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">not</span> to sing. Especially in front of other people,'* I'm giving away these at the office instead:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLt2vkrHJwsRkNH0U6j7fOL9Z3UUdavElDBrVnbt7GX93LOenDf3JcMFY-QgpBJ1kbXfiBhBG6NmKMbMFBMZG7dRME6zWVqOrl-aS56CNtJbmUH5i005zwZEFkyJztlHIWNm4RK6fafs/s1600-h/peppermint+mocha+07a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417438592745102226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLt2vkrHJwsRkNH0U6j7fOL9Z3UUdavElDBrVnbt7GX93LOenDf3JcMFY-QgpBJ1kbXfiBhBG6NmKMbMFBMZG7dRME6zWVqOrl-aS56CNtJbmUH5i005zwZEFkyJztlHIWNm4RK6fafs/s1600/peppermint+mocha+07a.jpg" border="0" /></a>It's no secret that I love me some <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2008/12/diy-wedding-invitation-ornament.html">clear glass ornament projects</a>, and I thought they'd make festive packaging for the couple servings of peppermint mocha mix I'm trying to contain. I used 67mm (2.63 in.) bulbs and filled them up about half way with 6 tbsp of mix. I messed around til I came up with a pretty yummy recipe:<br /><ul><li>1 cup of hot cocoa<br /></li><li>1/3 to 1/2 cup of instant coffee</li><li>1/8 to 1/4 tsp of peppermint extract</li><li>adjust coffee and extract amount according to your taste, mix well in food processor<br /></li></ul><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrc4HaoWqVWHPlpW-L_SrS-m5XPqrlKqI8UVGgXWyqG0syrmlVHGJpczxUNYVUbD0FtZYtQRw-aBG01Lf2SXkwcLM8KC9QcbOINQau4WUD9zkKOLtB-sPQJJ5zXfF96p102UI-Rn_6Qwc/" />To minimize the powder leakage, I inserted a mini marshmallow under each cap:<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLdCVx2LWlCDi4SdOpXICEfhpk5z6AtmEUtbwLpa8SLinZKFzCS0wUtIxCLv2wOJEG6vaD5RlPOGF1acyPKG0-fHoVnFFLkH4e6sAYB0jObxezQAX32kcltFTtgipTYe_q9Mwbd_dWEE/" />To add a little color inside the glass bulbs, I broke off peppermint sticks to insert into each one. Many sticks were sacrificed as I needed them to be the exact height where they remain standing without impeding on the marshmallow cap action, which had a very low tolerance. *Note: soft mints break nicely, regular candy canes do not.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvwW8Oo77WvoLYee335RowfcVMnF3lP7dXjzWYfTzYBiVo4d8xXGo5rKYm0z_GeZcGMlRX-C44YNu4E357ebUZZhTwv2PgYNWSbfpj81mtZGdFKLcZR5hZsGqgBTSL0TDXXg6quul818/s1600-h/peppermint+mocha+03a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417438461869439714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvwW8Oo77WvoLYee335RowfcVMnF3lP7dXjzWYfTzYBiVo4d8xXGo5rKYm0z_GeZcGMlRX-C44YNu4E357ebUZZhTwv2PgYNWSbfpj81mtZGdFKLcZR5hZsGqgBTSL0TDXXg6quul818/s1600/peppermint+mocha+03a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />With matching ribbons and instruction tag (reads 'Add 3 tbsp or more of mocha mix to a cup of hot water or milk and enjoy!'), these are ready to go!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_ljm_EOLYWE48ToIF6QEdoSrHcUiHrePL1Irg_upzMQEasi64B8mRL5IG7A82Z_Q_xysuzNn5feoTfdq7sGkQ3eqau3rF2EjLhQNTWvP3DtFYaqB9D9YO0g5tE2w4nTDbAIC5yP7Pbc/s1600-h/peppermint+mocha+05a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417438455626136306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_ljm_EOLYWE48ToIF6QEdoSrHcUiHrePL1Irg_upzMQEasi64B8mRL5IG7A82Z_Q_xysuzNn5feoTfdq7sGkQ3eqau3rF2EjLhQNTWvP3DtFYaqB9D9YO0g5tE2w4nTDbAIC5yP7Pbc/s1600/peppermint+mocha+05a.jpg" border="0" /></a>The boxed edition went into ultra limited production. As da hubs pointed out, not everyone appreciate nice balls. Note: the mix will 'dirty' the peppermint stick in transport, but with a few shakes/taps, it cleans up quite nicely!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmqVt1aBeFRQYj5UWyRB0CtPcN0Okittiax-8KehzgvxGeI8paNxUAfHVCaU8HMU_EJlFSaIzGPFn28gb8J9q5P-usUa1nDWGNUN37e0bShFRTvdWDQSRrbVCU0OfUsGCz815UWh7_XE/s1600-h/peppermint+mocha+06a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417438451588283490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmqVt1aBeFRQYj5UWyRB0CtPcN0Okittiax-8KehzgvxGeI8paNxUAfHVCaU8HMU_EJlFSaIzGPFn28gb8J9q5P-usUa1nDWGNUN37e0bShFRTvdWDQSRrbVCU0OfUsGCz815UWh7_XE/s1600/peppermint+mocha+06a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Holidays everybody!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319343/quotes">My fav Xmas movie</a><br /><br /><br /></span>Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-63439363384820138842009-10-26T07:26:00.000-07:002009-10-26T07:26:45.650-07:00DIY Sugar Cube Place Card HolderI wanted something simple and cute to hold up all the labels for <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/sweet-shower-deweecious-setup.html">the desserts</a> at MOH-Ho's '<a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/09/sweet-shower-invites-downloadable.html">Sugar Spice Nice</a>' theme shower and I came up with the perfect solution:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiO3UqAiuH3bnDfck9jHQ4tiFARe0r6O-4aPzhAgIM42zhRO4f_9-D2RMbq7ti1x4xeFudchFZKA21F4LudzmVzXzwI9-vyDwQJLgySsmPzOAh21xIqRKz94cz0SV5t_hS_AJ_R0EdQVA/s1600-h/sugar+cube+card+stand+08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiO3UqAiuH3bnDfck9jHQ4tiFARe0r6O-4aPzhAgIM42zhRO4f_9-D2RMbq7ti1x4xeFudchFZKA21F4LudzmVzXzwI9-vyDwQJLgySsmPzOAh21xIqRKz94cz0SV5t_hS_AJ_R0EdQVA/s1600/sugar+cube+card+stand+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392180555522848386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTguWhE4GqKVRwUq_jbZDxUWvyFXtHbpmZBsQZmLlr_dbgQPORBQZY34RPRmdrJ1C9CuVhriPvThyphenhyphenLFuXIaTFuvL54uyS5nx1FCGRFJiyxIeUc4OfFkRp8iHhQ4YhhqhW1tVcvc499__o/s1600-h/sugar+cube+card+stand+07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTguWhE4GqKVRwUq_jbZDxUWvyFXtHbpmZBsQZmLlr_dbgQPORBQZY34RPRmdrJ1C9CuVhriPvThyphenhyphenLFuXIaTFuvL54uyS5nx1FCGRFJiyxIeUc4OfFkRp8iHhQ4YhhqhW1tVcvc499__o/s1600/sugar+cube+card+stand+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392180703480720930" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br />As usual, I got some eye-rolls when I first mentioned my latest crazy idea. But when it comes time to trying things out, my team is always behind me 110% (coz they know it's the only way to shut me up). We had to set this up outdoors coz sugar flew EVERYWHERE. Eventually Bro-GT had to put on safety goggles (over his glasses!) just to protect his eyes from sugar attacks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCBxcwLcbVVKVDgFhDd1jY4hYyMssRbC12EQBN5CMidYufOGA6jJvURCMR_taQ7wEXfKO7jeqqfCbhNdhP-GA3Ro-n5nnuxsXnA_6wrZU6uKlhFQDrIVYCK7yTJ6dIuZYJ6mq6FyZrlg/s1600-h/sugar+cube+card+stand+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCBxcwLcbVVKVDgFhDd1jY4hYyMssRbC12EQBN5CMidYufOGA6jJvURCMR_taQ7wEXfKO7jeqqfCbhNdhP-GA3Ro-n5nnuxsXnA_6wrZU6uKlhFQDrIVYCK7yTJ6dIuZYJ6mq6FyZrlg/s1600/sugar+cube+card+stand+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392180542433435794" border="0" /></a>A mini assembly line was formed quickly. Da Hubs set up each cube and Bro-GT did the cutting and blade cleaning:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-RmvEPiUovLpZG9uAhUiMyzISy2qkm3VDpEebZSWYbKtoRzyHt8c76jAShhOZ8bqtlsEHir7lQrqqND7pyyQPMYjzUyXDa1f12XgEMKSOV1P9wkUWjkOEVT2FUsTT-TqIj_URRn7ghc/s1600-h/sugar+cube+card+stand+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-RmvEPiUovLpZG9uAhUiMyzISy2qkm3VDpEebZSWYbKtoRzyHt8c76jAShhOZ8bqtlsEHir7lQrqqND7pyyQPMYjzUyXDa1f12XgEMKSOV1P9wkUWjkOEVT2FUsTT-TqIj_URRn7ghc/s1600/sugar+cube+card+stand+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392180549485753298" border="0" /></a>To make these you'll need:<br /><ul><li>Some kind of heavy clamp (we used a pipe wrench)</li><li>Rotary tool with small thin blade</li><li>Sugar cubes<br /></li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDDKm2XU83kioHC2-vfieIMTgtxJTd9i80p3gu9uWnmWjEgfQt-OGYNjA9Xa8wr9AuUcQQsSRpH0Jl2MhcHepXUkZ-GSaLY0Gevkh9uEOQ8lhYm0z2nmFvnTCXVFTA4Y5G46eteFnLBk/s1600-h/sugar+cube+card+stand+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDDKm2XU83kioHC2-vfieIMTgtxJTd9i80p3gu9uWnmWjEgfQt-OGYNjA9Xa8wr9AuUcQQsSRpH0Jl2MhcHepXUkZ-GSaLY0Gevkh9uEOQ8lhYm0z2nmFvnTCXVFTA4Y5G46eteFnLBk/s1600/sugar+cube+card+stand+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392180532680457746" border="0" /></a>There's only one step to the process - cut a slot in the cube to hold the card. Here are a few tips / lessons learned:<br /><ul><li>As I mentioned, do this outside and the person cutting should wear eye-protection. Sugar got on all our clothes and hair, I can't imaging the epic battle we would've had with the neighborhood ants if I tried this in the kitchen or even the garage.</li><li>Depending on the type of clamp you use, you may want to add some padding to protect the cube and provide a firmer grip. We wrapped a paper towel around each cube to do this. The metal and sugar direct contact made it slippery and nicked the cubes.</li><li>The blade gets hot and melts the sugar. Sometimes you get small clumps or pieces of cotton candy out of it but they remove easily. Keep a tub of water nearby to take the sugar off the blade (comes off real easily with water) so the buildup doesn't mess with your cut.</li><li>Practice makes perfect. I wasn't sure this would work at first but after some tries (and quite a few broken cubes) we got it down pat.<br /></li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR9_AW2hW6Pf4nlB1LPtWByxCcSlThyphenhyphen5sLiCAF-bQFZXNqQS-puuNuHsnt9JvEPXhirwH-CAuAyptiUAuLRzZGZLuYTzDVIdExg71JnkTy8KguarCnoLGf6AcItCfm_pUg43jm5EnEXE/s1600-h/sugar+cube+card+stand+05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR9_AW2hW6Pf4nlB1LPtWByxCcSlThyphenhyphen5sLiCAF-bQFZXNqQS-puuNuHsnt9JvEPXhirwH-CAuAyptiUAuLRzZGZLuYTzDVIdExg71JnkTy8KguarCnoLGf6AcItCfm_pUg43jm5EnEXE/s1600/sugar+cube+card+stand+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392180524201187810" border="0" /></a>They do a great job holding up any small cards/signs/labels, but I think they look proportionally perfect with the little labels (see 2nd photo above) and would make excellent place card holders. Though I gotta say, double-teaming them to hold the bigger signs look pretty damn fabulous too:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0UbrSFmiTevBMitx_jWqfBaObhEI2PyiZyvvo_LuNNWDkbCD7cfPaUZkY8fGq57KlLBt2xpmNrr73vK1C8BZNALfC1EAzHLiVk3E3LH-bFhPLtDN0EINDQCWHZNNxN1KOBVigaCMnTw/s1600-h/sugar+cube+card+stand+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0UbrSFmiTevBMitx_jWqfBaObhEI2PyiZyvvo_LuNNWDkbCD7cfPaUZkY8fGq57KlLBt2xpmNrr73vK1C8BZNALfC1EAzHLiVk3E3LH-bFhPLtDN0EINDQCWHZNNxN1KOBVigaCMnTw/s1600/sugar+cube+card+stand+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392180705860950866" border="0" /></a>I just love the simplicity, texture, and sweetness of these little holders. Out of all the details I put into this shower, I think this may just be my favorite :)Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-60825398831538878512009-10-20T06:28:00.000-07:002009-10-20T13:01:26.933-07:00DIY Vanilla Extract and Vanilla Sugar Shower FavorsI knew I would be making vanilla extract favors for MOH-Ho's shower before I came up with the '<a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/09/sweet-shower-invites-downloadable.html">Sugar Spice Nice</a>' theme, decided to <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/sweet-shower-deweecious-setup.html">serve desserts</a>, or remotely considered <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/sweet-shower-details.html">any other detail</a>. It was kind of a given in my mind because of MOH-Ho's love for baking. I also love that it's consumable, renewable, and has that personal homemade touch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GoknQVnRAO3UaS-aTZ-i86FY0nit839_xetLxfAZ13UnQFCz4XKP6E_Dlhi1HRz3r_QnOcove5EJcjpwjb5uGmCqJ0XPwDPAPQyW_kRml8z5aGnkiw7rcs9e7uWPjwecqa5pQBMo990/s1600-h/shower+favors+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GoknQVnRAO3UaS-aTZ-i86FY0nit839_xetLxfAZ13UnQFCz4XKP6E_Dlhi1HRz3r_QnOcove5EJcjpwjb5uGmCqJ0XPwDPAPQyW_kRml8z5aGnkiw7rcs9e7uWPjwecqa5pQBMo990/s1600/shower+favors+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394447252610823794" border="0" /></a>I later decided to add the vanilla sugar as well so that guests from the same household (aunt & cousin) won't have to take 2 of the same favor home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mLPobD3UOQja50o64U5pQ6PXqrpsqL0lBSfUjkDhsZVONXnxC7EMhyphenhyphenRHprgL8fXMI23uAdgNK9v9pKJaXdO2GL_VW06F4VB7GohhJKIem8yZki6xYdMQyw1y7dUD4b-shQAepsKIw8s/s1600-h/shower+favors+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mLPobD3UOQja50o64U5pQ6PXqrpsqL0lBSfUjkDhsZVONXnxC7EMhyphenhyphenRHprgL8fXMI23uAdgNK9v9pKJaXdO2GL_VW06F4VB7GohhJKIem8yZki6xYdMQyw1y7dUD4b-shQAepsKIw8s/s1600/shower+favors+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394447241270207794" border="0" /></a>Making vanilla extract is actually quite simple, all you're doing is soaking vanilla beans in vodka and letting it sit. Before doing my research I jumped the gun and bought premium grade vanilla beans, only to realized later that the cheaper lower grade versions (for the lower moisture content) were actually better for extract making. Oh well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLiBF-GQW9t12vxUO6i4YfHUq3f1JHGc_ywY5VdtStC-LFEb-JctOtNIaxFq3ScezSmaQOC2qCq9SUO7oATCNPXEZIofn13aKV2Y3rrDwCYiHOBVxmVzv3vKl-q1kIUGPu0mFzXnr1pI/s1600-h/shower+favors+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLiBF-GQW9t12vxUO6i4YfHUq3f1JHGc_ywY5VdtStC-LFEb-JctOtNIaxFq3ScezSmaQOC2qCq9SUO7oATCNPXEZIofn13aKV2Y3rrDwCYiHOBVxmVzv3vKl-q1kIUGPu0mFzXnr1pI/s1600/shower+favors+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394447233585169842" border="0" /></a>Madagascar vanilla beans are most commonly used for extract, so that's what I got. Beans are split in half and placed in bottles:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_Ik6J0bkD3Fm2pP3QlLkBgkB5zJ519J7YGyOhA6naf2cLahoaNXggkONc_zDsPMRptNj6ZVXaUUF1Yu2Lke6mz7DrxPM6LVQqX1cEHbyyJ_xC7jxELv0kCE-zP0tegoCM-JIKqKJbfQ/s1600-h/shower+favors+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_Ik6J0bkD3Fm2pP3QlLkBgkB5zJ519J7YGyOhA6naf2cLahoaNXggkONc_zDsPMRptNj6ZVXaUUF1Yu2Lke6mz7DrxPM6LVQqX1cEHbyyJ_xC7jxELv0kCE-zP0tegoCM-JIKqKJbfQ/s1600/shower+favors+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394447225705716258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0LBRPQTlpzptNa8IgU7HVUo9JIGpZ9ohDy1NY1j4H3p2bPtbS-xGikxp8ZyNhYQcX7N7xjvluobEM1YTWzDzSugTFdDEG0JitE9Gu-bwFh-NXIJk2dhMvsdRFfgivD78-avWQjvmSXs/s1600-h/shower+favors+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0LBRPQTlpzptNa8IgU7HVUo9JIGpZ9ohDy1NY1j4H3p2bPtbS-xGikxp8ZyNhYQcX7N7xjvluobEM1YTWzDzSugTFdDEG0JitE9Gu-bwFh-NXIJk2dhMvsdRFfgivD78-avWQjvmSXs/s1600/shower+favors+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394459712083482514" border="0" /></a>Then the bottles are filled with vodka. There are varying recipes out there for the proportions, but all say that more extract can be made by refilling with vodka. My interpretation of that is, if you let it sit long enough, most reasonable vanilla:vodka ratio will work. I put one bean in each bottle that holds about 1/2 cup of vodka.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUCXP6z_yBgt0xPosnDPVYtuuc2MuWjbp9M_PLxtPBa8NmdvQlOA74OvYJ-cpDtNKk27SbRbgX2nbnNKLgkPqX0pKQ5UcJPaZzdRbrx8GLoGpMVVmJIfZvCxIWFVp7TFE_X0wC6jAEQM/s1600-h/shower+favors+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUCXP6z_yBgt0xPosnDPVYtuuc2MuWjbp9M_PLxtPBa8NmdvQlOA74OvYJ-cpDtNKk27SbRbgX2nbnNKLgkPqX0pKQ5UcJPaZzdRbrx8GLoGpMVVmJIfZvCxIWFVp7TFE_X0wC6jAEQM/s1600/shower+favors+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394446976875238626" border="0" /></a>You gotta shake 'em up real good and store in a cool and dark place for at least a couple of months, with additional shake sessions in between. I took these couple pics right after filling them all up. See the pretty color already showing?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5tKwDJePlkZ9vq2Q54438-ICKplBgrc1tcrI2N5OnSu38z2S-D3EyOcxzu0qbcQYVQq-WN7USLkOThQoE8oKVF5hgSO2fpIKwlRJpP80yRh3QxbZfghCm8RPvNRPelx6CM4kJYaXo7s/s1600-h/shower+favors+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5tKwDJePlkZ9vq2Q54438-ICKplBgrc1tcrI2N5OnSu38z2S-D3EyOcxzu0qbcQYVQq-WN7USLkOThQoE8oKVF5hgSO2fpIKwlRJpP80yRh3QxbZfghCm8RPvNRPelx6CM4kJYaXo7s/s1600/shower+favors+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394446961870740610" border="0" /></a>The finishing touch was a paper strip seal plus tag that matches the rest of the shower stationary. The strips were nothing but scraps made useful. Remember the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrXgcgmc2Oojb8KJAFVM83Wvpezrkdf9Eo9-SyN37VYz8US3omEXE6vtWVmXR73RMpwyTU21fLBwJtYFpiY3fsSAgBdrozjpe1CWBHIvBi_64XkLrKzFCPXquqP_GEMVZ6K0JVK7xw2o/s1600/sweet+invites+10.jpg">shower invites vellum envelopes</a>? Before cutting them down to the right envelope size, I printed on the edges like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuzV7M7E0iV8b4YWn6XxUhNxVXoeOIGAKRLzvm-oiQ0aR4oX9XIbqf5OWvS8OiPmI6OfqDUWCEi_mSdnkSC84yeaqPaCeDxH7nfYvozCyGuqz-MZTFJ3aoFCSWL7SNjqQQqQXl8-cX9c/s1600-h/shower+favors+20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuzV7M7E0iV8b4YWn6XxUhNxVXoeOIGAKRLzvm-oiQ0aR4oX9XIbqf5OWvS8OiPmI6OfqDUWCEi_mSdnkSC84yeaqPaCeDxH7nfYvozCyGuqz-MZTFJ3aoFCSWL7SNjqQQqQXl8-cX9c/s400/shower+favors+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394464032206590802" border="0" /></a>so they can be cut to make the paper strip seals. They were first attached with rubber cement, which worked well but was a bit messy. In the end, MOH-Ho just ran them through her trusty Xyron for ease. On the back of the matching tag was a thank you note and instructions on making the refills.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QqyI6FtFI9OTX_VwGjkXDY6a8GU96f951QHSl0QbIEtIgytAg8G5G0VwSRxbTKH_Eer-CaUtZptus3kzUPLZI9YpzAKz6LcQ8y0c5Kgs6LZLACAFqyZ7PF3zVWCbVNGJVsPOPMH2Ip4/s1600-h/shower+favors+19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QqyI6FtFI9OTX_VwGjkXDY6a8GU96f951QHSl0QbIEtIgytAg8G5G0VwSRxbTKH_Eer-CaUtZptus3kzUPLZI9YpzAKz6LcQ8y0c5Kgs6LZLACAFqyZ7PF3zVWCbVNGJVsPOPMH2Ip4/s1600/shower+favors+19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394446952879805474" border="0" /></a><br />Now onto the vanilla infused sugar:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt73oPvrvbEGoKRPEiYSnHy9gPX2l5VLdGDb_U4xKtH1Sbh78TEV_ECFPA2KJYQ855WF2hra1LuL76-41FK1junr-qJdeORtabfFhvUZB9AFbp97mLbTLNCcVqe2GVsXZzNtbuBbYhE8g/s1600-h/shower+favors+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt73oPvrvbEGoKRPEiYSnHy9gPX2l5VLdGDb_U4xKtH1Sbh78TEV_ECFPA2KJYQ855WF2hra1LuL76-41FK1junr-qJdeORtabfFhvUZB9AFbp97mLbTLNCcVqe2GVsXZzNtbuBbYhE8g/s1600/shower+favors+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394446656542128418" border="0" /></a>For the sugar I chose the more fruity Tahitian beans, which were cut diagonally into small pieces to provide the most vanilla exposure.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcnAktk_KidUPgh1Du4yY89UI_WOyN1fspFn2glJLvuKgiyVTZoN1EZ6lNKl8ysmSgbR44C5PrnGqXGyi3fjzy-_URX0SaOz2YP6Qnh9dem4scJMCfRJfFwotJTTdRhRFXm5_ZmihPDE/s1600-h/shower+favors+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcnAktk_KidUPgh1Du4yY89UI_WOyN1fspFn2glJLvuKgiyVTZoN1EZ6lNKl8ysmSgbR44C5PrnGqXGyi3fjzy-_URX0SaOz2YP6Qnh9dem4scJMCfRJfFwotJTTdRhRFXm5_ZmihPDE/s1600/shower+favors+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394446945488176162" border="0" /></a>I filled the chosen jar with table sugar to get the right amount:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRApErBM0jskTcuzfmiN7RZ5B8cGv18558QRgeCuAaLyTrXdROlp8ex2xngB9YoY6d25teptpDYEeqNv6cKzKLTAOqUCENw6zTVIM7EnxiPnJm_lzi8ra5SPdLZZnpBRqwOkkMXZu-NyM/s1600-h/shower+favors+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRApErBM0jskTcuzfmiN7RZ5B8cGv18558QRgeCuAaLyTrXdROlp8ex2xngB9YoY6d25teptpDYEeqNv6cKzKLTAOqUCENw6zTVIM7EnxiPnJm_lzi8ra5SPdLZZnpBRqwOkkMXZu-NyM/s1600/shower+favors+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394446938479919138" border="0" /></a>then mix the vanilla bits with the sugar:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxIB4SeSax1zciGnKR8ccOizfd9No_4isqS-v8YQC7M5l0zBE11W_gjEiwBAbjIcKwNWU8mv_uUvVdI7cIYenQvjyttdtaYE_R5mmrVPXo7xXtBoUToDDSI4IO5VVdG4fbfI5M_ZF21Y/s1600-h/shower+favors+17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxIB4SeSax1zciGnKR8ccOizfd9No_4isqS-v8YQC7M5l0zBE11W_gjEiwBAbjIcKwNWU8mv_uUvVdI7cIYenQvjyttdtaYE_R5mmrVPXo7xXtBoUToDDSI4IO5VVdG4fbfI5M_ZF21Y/s1600/shower+favors+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394446676136568962" border="0" /></a>Pour them back into the jars, seal, and that's it! I left these alongside the extract to sit for months.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtfZx5Si8VVFZhN4LXSjxhYqtsGd2IqNZySDpeRA0xjEFTSx7EM_WSXvrnTajjAyHw9KehfP5oD_mXJDaoresj4M_c26AR6lUcV4ulF6BHxgQj16W1HpE3JIxfwo-oDLiiElOH4nXoV8/s1600-h/shower+favors+18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtfZx5Si8VVFZhN4LXSjxhYqtsGd2IqNZySDpeRA0xjEFTSx7EM_WSXvrnTajjAyHw9KehfP5oD_mXJDaoresj4M_c26AR6lUcV4ulF6BHxgQj16W1HpE3JIxfwo-oDLiiElOH4nXoV8/s1600/shower+favors+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394446667596290050" border="0" /></a>The little specks spread in the sugar was really quite pretty, if only I had the photography skills to capture it...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdFfCFKDy6X-qOqHfen-wB9MF0ZcLS8wdwhSuHCZ-EyDY3sNcxYPpdFvz119JMVgj9QvQQeUnwC2H7Ot1Be9POHjXSH8e7Le3bGAVAwt76Rvah-lz0Klw_B9dw8e0bQcIqM0wR79O_JQ/s1600-h/shower+favors+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdFfCFKDy6X-qOqHfen-wB9MF0ZcLS8wdwhSuHCZ-EyDY3sNcxYPpdFvz119JMVgj9QvQQeUnwC2H7Ot1Be9POHjXSH8e7Le3bGAVAwt76Rvah-lz0Klw_B9dw8e0bQcIqM0wR79O_JQ/s1600/shower+favors+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394446648987283954" border="0" /></a><br />Like the extract, the sugar also had a matching tag with a thank you note. Since no instructions were necessary I added suggestions for uses (in coffee/tea for added flavor, etc.)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt73oPvrvbEGoKRPEiYSnHy9gPX2l5VLdGDb_U4xKtH1Sbh78TEV_ECFPA2KJYQ855WF2hra1LuL76-41FK1junr-qJdeORtabfFhvUZB9AFbp97mLbTLNCcVqe2GVsXZzNtbuBbYhE8g/s1600-h/shower+favors+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt73oPvrvbEGoKRPEiYSnHy9gPX2l5VLdGDb_U4xKtH1Sbh78TEV_ECFPA2KJYQ855WF2hra1LuL76-41FK1junr-qJdeORtabfFhvUZB9AFbp97mLbTLNCcVqe2GVsXZzNtbuBbYhE8g/s1600/shower+favors+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394446656542128418" border="0" /></a>And that's it! I was pleasantly surprised at how well these turned out, I sure hope the guests like them!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02C1eXHEVKXwDD6O3y5V1mH_xIlDATiQ1LhhryA3tdd8Z0z6joYQSUW-qTh78kCZY4AeVfou4u9J746dH2_Vz3gGJF4sfD459spQJ5hCFheGB8cACItCfy8Hc4-XJOUjtKKIG5CAg75s/s1600-h/shower+favors+05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02C1eXHEVKXwDD6O3y5V1mH_xIlDATiQ1LhhryA3tdd8Z0z6joYQSUW-qTh78kCZY4AeVfou4u9J746dH2_Vz3gGJF4sfD459spQJ5hCFheGB8cACItCfy8Hc4-XJOUjtKKIG5CAg75s/s1600/shower+favors+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394446642199168322" border="0" /></a>Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-41711414018296962412009-10-15T07:45:00.000-07:002009-10-15T11:20:11.635-07:00Sweet Shower DetailsI have theme addiction. It's true. I thought about seeking help, for themes often conflict with practicality, and practicality is high up on my list. But before I go get myself fixed, I indulged in MOH-Ho's sugary shower details. You've already seen my <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/09/sweet-shower-invites-downloadable.html">'Sugar Spice Nice' shower invites</a> and I've also shown you <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/sweet-shower-deweecious-setup.html">the food and drinks dessert set up</a>. Now I must confess that beyond the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWjKdztLmAxPRtRgMujIq929vz-t34BXJ_VTprGu1PhB31XZZis3wg4QErblUY2o_gbw07lq4DDXhET63Nu_HEKpyuepFHW4XKw4ITOz9a44msmQZi5zWLmPtUelKh55wzYbx-AFIWw4/s1600/shower+setup+03.jpg">leftover labels</a> and the special <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXe4otYc58xz3W1xVOcePZOg-oPFoRhec7CP09yenRaC6Ry9cT1fHHUBYcv5doIgULrx7V_Ra6Qwak5l2L3fKL8SnfRX6Kam4E2ZboduGazd4hsXk3lL6Wv9Dr2X7wYlrmTFeq-OaJVY/s1600-h/shower+setup+08.jpg">drink</a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLi11IZUOljpZDszBkoZk2qtmpQEDpNb9pskjNaOx_ne7FRtF4R__MJ-pUQDznaOaUcIBparWSVdBjiGumewfzDzCYPCSaa55hzvTYdaNfhOpi7vj7sOrNYO8BPOKQBe9b10D9H_Hd3s/s1600/shower+setup+09.jpg">signs</a>, there is more. Looking at all this pink makes me nauseous (I'm <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">not</span> a pink person, MOH-Ho is), and I apologize in advance if you also wanna throw up a little bit in your mouth. Okay, here we go.<br /><br />For the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZc-HyXHrbhF1KqHbaOW1UtJDo_0qfhS4SHaF8ILLxe_QLvjt6DotxfJv40nLQxBvFNO4v-64JSVsVCL-HMUoojFbsoA5k4aHVx4C4rcRaQ8s2tZAfGxA3UYEkCib9undswBPJz2odFA/s1600-h/shower+setup+04.jpg">cotton candy</a> set up, homeboy will be making the fresh mini puffs with popsicle sticks instead of cones, and place them in pink cupcake liners for display in a cupcake pan. I made these little stickers for the popsi-sticks:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSMvj8y77k2Q6fhaiwHs9sZvm2uURTIdrGIQd-OvvrOZc-p6lr44jU6MoGD-prAtyrnA0MM3pUzqztqvReaPbReknC26EoiwjmE8RapcCI9kSMujmaeeYJCeLw90ovGa4tm5Y06Vs8fY/s1600-h/shower+details+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSMvj8y77k2Q6fhaiwHs9sZvm2uURTIdrGIQd-OvvrOZc-p6lr44jU6MoGD-prAtyrnA0MM3pUzqztqvReaPbReknC26EoiwjmE8RapcCI9kSMujmaeeYJCeLw90ovGa4tm5Y06Vs8fY/s1600/shower+details+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392526485453696354" border="0" /></a>I have a <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/sweet-shower-deweecious-setup.html">3-table set up</a> for the food and drinks and each one will have one of these banners:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZRGx0L_voRNk7C6ifTyBR6mQuY2WmxF0I6S1LjJtjhxswSuj_uHm5ZU-m7XwgpcfdkPH2ZBXBMJa4CLjKKtGqOaCS6dem-B4pqB46LYJuFDu3jZ4mx9y3WgVDkMEWUOTyf1R_1qSjK0/s1600-h/shower+details+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZRGx0L_voRNk7C6ifTyBR6mQuY2WmxF0I6S1LjJtjhxswSuj_uHm5ZU-m7XwgpcfdkPH2ZBXBMJa4CLjKKtGqOaCS6dem-B4pqB46LYJuFDu3jZ4mx9y3WgVDkMEWUOTyf1R_1qSjK0/s1600/shower+details+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392527525593344482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQM_0-Mc9Rs5wICge6qyY34JsSGNaOSXkfaaj8GwZqY7qUeUj8G3iVIv9F_y0-yYpsURCbhc46QjXT88C7fRLcVX9OoYgjkysxwD2ZgXu7LA9R9hG5qa1HoqFgSYNjeJYCyPUwcnRwGiY/s1600-h/shower+details+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQM_0-Mc9Rs5wICge6qyY34JsSGNaOSXkfaaj8GwZqY7qUeUj8G3iVIv9F_y0-yYpsURCbhc46QjXT88C7fRLcVX9OoYgjkysxwD2ZgXu7LA9R9hG5qa1HoqFgSYNjeJYCyPUwcnRwGiY/s1600/shower+details+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392527535180041090" border="0" /></a>I couldn't leave the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGzYL1m78iJ7BBUh1OKGEpwSusE2KOnIUlve4DOGckR8FJM8NLWXaq0bE3tjlsEVvzlP0IVAsyEJB-zdHR_KKNW_oEHM_Pu6bGXuQf84sDQ3WalEwCoNzAjlc7vqEXwrTOb3_XnLsNUc/s1600-h/shower+setup+06.jpg">water bottles naked</a> so they too have matching labels. We went with MOH-Ho's favorite design...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROWo_Xc4YDOtgNbkk-KSp0V_EBWWsQuuAlJFbxJChZv6GUc2JAqzA6HytoadklpQylTBR4o0wKChExV4nLQTTke-rRU6pJkw82U06lvXZrxlf8jafnWioE5hyphenhyphenNBDwq5NmZP-rHbRcfNY/s1600-h/shower+details+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROWo_Xc4YDOtgNbkk-KSp0V_EBWWsQuuAlJFbxJChZv6GUc2JAqzA6HytoadklpQylTBR4o0wKChExV4nLQTTke-rRU6pJkw82U06lvXZrxlf8jafnWioE5hyphenhyphenNBDwq5NmZP-rHbRcfNY/s1600/shower+details+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392527541707057250" border="0" /></a>but I <span style="font-weight: bold;">had</span> to get one with the label design that was <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> fav :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14Q9sVkD63-BV4fyNywu6-_45GQrJjSV_W1TaiNbaHAJ2n2KqwHrsVKDldeCy8K5BVc_9da1Y_5BG9pTYYRwXKNSs-0kDYRo_awmgWHkbHamDFn7MUspHNOLVVJT9ZRgdWwyLZGCh-sA/s1600-h/shower+details+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14Q9sVkD63-BV4fyNywu6-_45GQrJjSV_W1TaiNbaHAJ2n2KqwHrsVKDldeCy8K5BVc_9da1Y_5BG9pTYYRwXKNSs-0kDYRo_awmgWHkbHamDFn7MUspHNOLVVJT9ZRgdWwyLZGCh-sA/s1600/shower+details+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392527546696734962" border="0" /></a>The skewers for the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6no1MBQFPr5IqHv21NRrvEssVlxjBylIgQwpjoNEahkKLfxtm4j9LewbWOrPtaru2SmFvsV_LS8MW-Q6ckccyIDhLQx3m5LEp6k9w5F5I86R5PY5fqPqBsRf01mj37zIp70NRn0UTNRo/s1600-h/shower+setup+05.jpg">chocolate fountain</a> are dressed up with little letter flags on top that spell s-u-g-a-r:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51C0vOqiYdDUHa2Dma1nRA7d6Pp5HKRGHMyyK9L04WhLqXQ1SnPKA-ZC-YyyyLCA9hrI-mKKMSpApNKqUK82GGlQxQo8eBpkXzMrI3uNxfJgAjrKC6h5hW10Nh8Wkz_hBuJapgqBgrpA/s1600-h/shower+details+05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51C0vOqiYdDUHa2Dma1nRA7d6Pp5HKRGHMyyK9L04WhLqXQ1SnPKA-ZC-YyyyLCA9hrI-mKKMSpApNKqUK82GGlQxQo8eBpkXzMrI3uNxfJgAjrKC6h5hW10Nh8Wkz_hBuJapgqBgrpA/s1600/shower+details+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392526493847752514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRZ4UTQgn5Vsa4VLRC5OSr50wgrVyaX9mCSYzRbfXk5KW2NOb3IUR8Lv-OhIw4ZP6EMuJdD9f0GRHPpnAn42ZhG2-6QWP_c3ZXiDZyortWOwVDBV07LWyz3rQ9nkYumixgj7kqu__KQA/s1600-h/shower+details+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRZ4UTQgn5Vsa4VLRC5OSr50wgrVyaX9mCSYzRbfXk5KW2NOb3IUR8Lv-OhIw4ZP6EMuJdD9f0GRHPpnAn42ZhG2-6QWP_c3ZXiDZyortWOwVDBV07LWyz3rQ9nkYumixgj7kqu__KQA/s1600/shower+details+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392526503810509522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCO0jm4p9c4fdovP7O_3BIRn3M3bbxhOa3NIcXtr8PYWYHsmBJgNteLSFYUqeRSvtp1EN_G-61qifzR6GHkmSJc89q0UY6S5SxcWGUvQLfU7-Sq5drz-1Lw8Ck7xlrP5mzySuI6mLDlSg/s1600-h/shower+details+07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCO0jm4p9c4fdovP7O_3BIRn3M3bbxhOa3NIcXtr8PYWYHsmBJgNteLSFYUqeRSvtp1EN_G-61qifzR6GHkmSJc89q0UY6S5SxcWGUvQLfU7-Sq5drz-1Lw8Ck7xlrP5mzySuI6mLDlSg/s1600/shower+details+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392526515153826642" border="0" /></a><br />And since <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/sweet-shower-deweecious-setup.html">I'm planning 'too much food'</a>, I printed these to-go bags for guests to take some goodies home in. I put the brown paper lunch bags through the printer and the printing didn't come out perfect, but I think the imperfection actually fits the bags quite well:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7viqSyp3ndgJFdGDetlxX7h6qoGCTCJP5Xn7GTNFIwpqRu3IgtvP4Qq4-vPWxZR6Qt0R8-IO6vPE6tespHJND0e4MdpKQahGtWDoHcbTESf2uEuDF1wXl-8X417C4bxet_g0N3i1NImw/s1600-h/shower+details+08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7viqSyp3ndgJFdGDetlxX7h6qoGCTCJP5Xn7GTNFIwpqRu3IgtvP4Qq4-vPWxZR6Qt0R8-IO6vPE6tespHJND0e4MdpKQahGtWDoHcbTESf2uEuDF1wXl-8X417C4bxet_g0N3i1NImw/s1600/shower+details+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392526524895935170" border="0" /></a><br />And there's the guest book. I've never attended a bridal shower so I'm not sure if it's weird to have one of these, but I thought a cake plate signed by the shower guests (with a porcelain pen) would be a nice keepsake for MOH-Ho to remember the day by.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Pro3D1vv-AGdbwWE7Ho4D63x9aEiO3eB51sT6m1vxc9LJcXETCO1QlLCorgVoXOXLc4k01YSyiaMcoFymuIMiPPgSWQp3LNbqrwEwTxBslkEf8kFKdwrvh7c3SZF_dm2rE2BnAE97rA/s1600-h/cakestand.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Pro3D1vv-AGdbwWE7Ho4D63x9aEiO3eB51sT6m1vxc9LJcXETCO1QlLCorgVoXOXLc4k01YSyiaMcoFymuIMiPPgSWQp3LNbqrwEwTxBslkEf8kFKdwrvh7c3SZF_dm2rE2BnAE97rA/s1600/cakestand.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392566758195290914" border="0" /></a>Phew! Now if you can stand more of this crazy matchy-match pink mush, the heavier DIY projects are coming up!Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-60982131331004716972009-10-13T06:38:00.000-07:002010-03-29T09:43:57.386-07:00The Sweet Shower: Deweecious SetupDa Hubs thinks I'm planning an excessive amount of food for MOH-Ho's shower, and dared me to do a post asking your opinion. I ain't scurred! While I'm at it, Imma show you the setup of it all too.<br /><br />Here is the main buffet table that will feature 10 desserts: <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391947851733477170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJ9U6Thc9j_j2kGl1GunhtELTKKYVRrl9ydqxvc7ly2S2gNAFkxySkHeCIsD4a_1EPobSbSLBSBjqRdDcCDSk3tWaPXh24Cljm4F5apUdE0mMCA9dWVEdz172FBi9vrzgTeuK_fXGTP0/s1600/shower+setup+01.jpg" border="0" /><br /><ol><li>Cupcakes</li><li>Brownie bites</li><li>Raspberry Truffles</li><li>Palmiers</li><li>Biscotti</li><li>Cookies (Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, White Chocolate Macadamia)</li><li>Madeleines</li><li>Sugar Free Cookies (Lemon Creme and Chocolate Striped Shortbread)</li><li>Apple Pie</li><li>Cherry or Pumpkin Pie (still deciding, what do you think?)<br /></li></ol>I'm reusing my <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/03/tea-party-face-meet-cake.html">wedding cake stands</a> here. The 2 pies will be placed at the front corners of the table. I wanted to keep them low (my excuse for being too cheap to buy pie plates), and I know I've got issues but I just loove those little tongs!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2di0XfnBqZuibYylOjLSSKbRuFRXo_tGUEM8hpymCN5tXTl-TAEm3gC_9YUAsVxfO9HxANeW73irg8Zose0pdKSb6wUfu84m7K6L-jfHWSjYBKQhdPvl74DQoUsQ3OWF4ebuCkf-NGvY/s1600-h/shower+setup+02.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391947841493049602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2di0XfnBqZuibYylOjLSSKbRuFRXo_tGUEM8hpymCN5tXTl-TAEm3gC_9YUAsVxfO9HxANeW73irg8Zose0pdKSb6wUfu84m7K6L-jfHWSjYBKQhdPvl74DQoUsQ3OWF4ebuCkf-NGvY/s1600/shower+setup+02.jpg" border="0" /></a>Those extra little tags from <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/09/sweet-shower-invites-downloadable.html">the invite suite</a> will label the desserts:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWjKdztLmAxPRtRgMujIq929vz-t34BXJ_VTprGu1PhB31XZZis3wg4QErblUY2o_gbw07lq4DDXhET63Nu_HEKpyuepFHW4XKw4ITOz9a44msmQZi5zWLmPtUelKh55wzYbx-AFIWw4/s1600-h/shower+setup+03.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391947831650068146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWjKdztLmAxPRtRgMujIq929vz-t34BXJ_VTprGu1PhB31XZZis3wg4QErblUY2o_gbw07lq4DDXhET63Nu_HEKpyuepFHW4XKw4ITOz9a44msmQZi5zWLmPtUelKh55wzYbx-AFIWw4/s1600/shower+setup+03.jpg" border="0" /></a>Then there's the cotton candy and chocolate fountain station, which will be manned by MOH-Ho's homeboy:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZc-HyXHrbhF1KqHbaOW1UtJDo_0qfhS4SHaF8ILLxe_QLvjt6DotxfJv40nLQxBvFNO4v-64JSVsVCL-HMUoojFbsoA5k4aHVx4C4rcRaQ8s2tZAfGxA3UYEkCib9undswBPJz2odFA/s1600-h/shower+setup+04.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391947828738184402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZc-HyXHrbhF1KqHbaOW1UtJDo_0qfhS4SHaF8ILLxe_QLvjt6DotxfJv40nLQxBvFNO4v-64JSVsVCL-HMUoojFbsoA5k4aHVx4C4rcRaQ8s2tZAfGxA3UYEkCib9undswBPJz2odFA/s1600/shower+setup+04.jpg" border="0" /></a>Chocolate fountain dip items include:<br /><ol><li>Strawberries</li><li>Pineapple</li><li>Marshmallows</li><li>Pretzels</li><li>Graham Crackers</li></ol>and y'all know how much I <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/04/tea-party-chocolatey-goodness.html">dig that chocolate fountain</a>!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6no1MBQFPr5IqHv21NRrvEssVlxjBylIgQwpjoNEahkKLfxtm4j9LewbWOrPtaru2SmFvsV_LS8MW-Q6ckccyIDhLQx3m5LEp6k9w5F5I86R5PY5fqPqBsRf01mj37zIp70NRn0UTNRo/s1600-h/shower+setup+05.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391947817857180722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6no1MBQFPr5IqHv21NRrvEssVlxjBylIgQwpjoNEahkKLfxtm4j9LewbWOrPtaru2SmFvsV_LS8MW-Q6ckccyIDhLQx3m5LEp6k9w5F5I86R5PY5fqPqBsRf01mj37zIp70NRn0UTNRo/s1600/shower+setup+05.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Third table will serve 5 drinks (Thermos is a photo stand-in for a <a href="http://www.trudeaucorp.com/media/catalogue/071440-P-G.jpg">carafe</a>): <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391947316833217186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGzYL1m78iJ7BBUh1OKGEpwSusE2KOnIUlve4DOGckR8FJM8NLWXaq0bE3tjlsEVvzlP0IVAsyEJB-zdHR_KKNW_oEHM_Pu6bGXuQf84sDQ3WalEwCoNzAjlc7vqEXwrTOb3_XnLsNUc/s1600/shower+setup+06.jpg" border="0" /><br /><ol><li>2% Milk</li><li>Raspberry Lemonade Vodka</li><li>Cream Soda</li><li>Coffee</li><li>Bottled Water (for ease to take-along upon departure)<br /></li></ol><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDqoBDqngiQISueP_WyPyPAX9UR_SKlA9b18SVbt5peT9wf58cq9zrTt36V3-bD274x921k8eD7VoLDN2AaZKhwPAAehVEutlw0M5We6uM3x0CTCDJyBEJPDevM5ujD4WoTseCzV8fU4/s1600-h/shower+setup+07.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391947324205072210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDqoBDqngiQISueP_WyPyPAX9UR_SKlA9b18SVbt5peT9wf58cq9zrTt36V3-bD274x921k8eD7VoLDN2AaZKhwPAAehVEutlw0M5We6uM3x0CTCDJyBEJPDevM5ujD4WoTseCzV8fU4/s1600/shower+setup+07.jpg" border="0" /></a>I did special labels for each drink (again, matching <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/10/sweet-shower-deweecious-setup.html">the invites</a>):<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXe4otYc58xz3W1xVOcePZOg-oPFoRhec7CP09yenRaC6Ry9cT1fHHUBYcv5doIgULrx7V_Ra6Qwak5l2L3fKL8SnfRX6Kam4E2ZboduGazd4hsXk3lL6Wv9Dr2X7wYlrmTFeq-OaJVY/s1600-h/shower+setup+08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391947336290384082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXe4otYc58xz3W1xVOcePZOg-oPFoRhec7CP09yenRaC6Ry9cT1fHHUBYcv5doIgULrx7V_Ra6Qwak5l2L3fKL8SnfRX6Kam4E2ZboduGazd4hsXk3lL6Wv9Dr2X7wYlrmTFeq-OaJVY/s1600/shower+setup+08.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLi11IZUOljpZDszBkoZk2qtmpQEDpNb9pskjNaOx_ne7FRtF4R__MJ-pUQDznaOaUcIBparWSVdBjiGumewfzDzCYPCSaa55hzvTYdaNfhOpi7vj7sOrNYO8BPOKQBe9b10D9H_Hd3s/s1600-h/shower+setup+09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391947340400367826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLi11IZUOljpZDszBkoZk2qtmpQEDpNb9pskjNaOx_ne7FRtF4R__MJ-pUQDznaOaUcIBparWSVdBjiGumewfzDzCYPCSaa55hzvTYdaNfhOpi7vj7sOrNYO8BPOKQBe9b10D9H_Hd3s/s1600/shower+setup+09.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There will be around 25 (plus or minus a couple) people at this shower. As a huge boofay fan, I really wanted to provide a good variety of desserts. I'll also be providing to-go bags for guests to take food home. One highlight of a recent convo between da hubs and I on this topic went down like this:<br /><br />DH: 'AND 2 pies?! No pies! You don't need the pies! Plus no one eat pies without ice cream!'<br />Me: ' Ooo! I should do an ice cream station too then, with a toppings buffet!'<br />DH: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!<br />(for the sake of my marriage, I'm forgoing the ice cream station)<br /><br />I have quite a bit of detail to be added to this basic set up. But before we get to that post, will you be our judge and tell us if you think I'm over doing things and should be beaten by the starving children in China; OR if I'm simply doing the word <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">buffet</span> justice? (or if you think I'm underestimating it all and must add the ice cream station, I'd like to hear that too)Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-7529238581753847302009-09-27T02:38:00.000-07:002009-09-27T03:25:52.822-07:00Sweet Shower Invites (Downloadable Template Included)I am throwing a bridal shower for MOH-Ho and it is freaking me out! I <span style="font-style: italic;">did</span> accomplish one thing, though not without huge assembly help from MOH-Ho and her momma - the shower invites:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENnTG5T6pSAKl7V1K3GJxkddhZCro8OUd8uPGQ-s8-Hpl5SGKO0g9UcHpjLyR2-3MpjeCd_N2MNEuCMyN6ga9H_4a4veldBKAcTgDoWwtLSUJbwMKrTk_jPvzi8lwMP3k0GEIdYmz2B4/s1600-h/sweet+invites+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENnTG5T6pSAKl7V1K3GJxkddhZCro8OUd8uPGQ-s8-Hpl5SGKO0g9UcHpjLyR2-3MpjeCd_N2MNEuCMyN6ga9H_4a4veldBKAcTgDoWwtLSUJbwMKrTk_jPvzi8lwMP3k0GEIdYmz2B4/s1600/sweet+invites+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385498236519144018" border="0" /></a><br />MOH-Ho is a big time baker (she's the mastermind behind <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/03/tea-party-face-meet-cake.html"> my wedding cupcakes</a>) so she's getting a 'Sugar Spice Nice' theme dessert shower. The 3-page invite includes the basic invite on the front (sugar), details & rsvp info in the middle (spice), and a blank recipe card on the last for guests to share their favorite recipe with the bride (nice).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpXlFi1kJLpwDtCz8UWLxwuV8VYHuNZivqiwDhyphenhyphenbmNj37dOqKqpV0wVNHcNs1wfDF66_Tu6dNGejWheYq0y5bHz62AXkbHZSxErrYVzHZRs8xDRAVfxDyJKvErQbBLVVrOuH2KE9n3bY/s1600-h/sweet+invites+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpXlFi1kJLpwDtCz8UWLxwuV8VYHuNZivqiwDhyphenhyphenbmNj37dOqKqpV0wVNHcNs1wfDF66_Tu6dNGejWheYq0y5bHz62AXkbHZSxErrYVzHZRs8xDRAVfxDyJKvErQbBLVVrOuH2KE9n3bY/s1600/sweet+invites+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385498246159360594" border="0" /></a><br />The linen texture strips of increasing lengths are aligned on the left side and sewn together with matching thread...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrYKtUyiCZ7rCqo9nhTVm3H4RJTrqYLq49g_PDofl9giYkZNGJ8k6c1MmdouvzdG63oTcT7GgDrM27dCoLU_464rGwJl91UXYodAqPHPgzWFo2mR_anzpPQA5_hyphenhyphenqJ4dD4oKa7-5jN9E/s1600-h/sweet+invites+05b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrYKtUyiCZ7rCqo9nhTVm3H4RJTrqYLq49g_PDofl9giYkZNGJ8k6c1MmdouvzdG63oTcT7GgDrM27dCoLU_464rGwJl91UXYodAqPHPgzWFo2mR_anzpPQA5_hyphenhyphenqJ4dD4oKa7-5jN9E/s1600/sweet+invites+05b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385497950472844514" border="0" /></a><br />to give this staggering effect on the right:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4R4x8vClXlfUx4P4uenov59T0mcncCqt9bCjL5HALEPXNGdqdewW0dYvnbE5cGJuCtllzDKURdQVURttMBDPA0C8kolYnGKbb4QIvJhKmT7pW7KYL-e4TnRvKOTm2oRpNYBbU4Tf2Q3s/s1600-h/sweet+invites+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4R4x8vClXlfUx4P4uenov59T0mcncCqt9bCjL5HALEPXNGdqdewW0dYvnbE5cGJuCtllzDKURdQVURttMBDPA0C8kolYnGKbb4QIvJhKmT7pW7KYL-e4TnRvKOTm2oRpNYBbU4Tf2Q3s/s1600/sweet+invites+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385497948610406146" border="0" /></a><br />The envelope is folded from pastel pink vellum and sewn shut. The invite info is covered by a matching address label.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCBQuvpER9OlZUVsGFzqNHDLkelCn0udeQtYg-O96JR67TYX0KDMXfN4OGAtMxiMi7gggoL0hNO5FUaLC_lfvI9-7vzo3xBNjPOiPZKrgLq3c_Oz7qBSVQFrOAmmlWlIntWA6uLX_GdE/s1600-h/sweet+invites+08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCBQuvpER9OlZUVsGFzqNHDLkelCn0udeQtYg-O96JR67TYX0KDMXfN4OGAtMxiMi7gggoL0hNO5FUaLC_lfvI9-7vzo3xBNjPOiPZKrgLq3c_Oz7qBSVQFrOAmmlWlIntWA6uLX_GdE/s1600/sweet+invites+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385497939145175954" border="0" /></a><br />I originally wanted the seal to be done with an off white linen ribbon matching the paper texture, but I wasn't sure it would hold up in the mail. Sewing it shut was a practical alternative, and it turns out to have a cleaner feel which I like.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfx_brX21Xro-qw05WiuNYaCEBW7PkxEKbyk3EIhFjOvBpHNCDeXfuxP-Fv4t3T0_eiCMU3LXp90qltR_t6R3FNukIIKrmIwjrywz-vaw1B-kvw10T8a18UlbDJ3Hl9WTXMfLNdSVkLQ/s1600-h/sweet+invites+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfx_brX21Xro-qw05WiuNYaCEBW7PkxEKbyk3EIhFjOvBpHNCDeXfuxP-Fv4t3T0_eiCMU3LXp90qltR_t6R3FNukIIKrmIwjrywz-vaw1B-kvw10T8a18UlbDJ3Hl9WTXMfLNdSVkLQ/s1600/sweet+invites+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385497930940034434" border="0" /></a><br />The finished product:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrXgcgmc2Oojb8KJAFVM83Wvpezrkdf9Eo9-SyN37VYz8US3omEXE6vtWVmXR73RMpwyTU21fLBwJtYFpiY3fsSAgBdrozjpe1CWBHIvBi_64XkLrKzFCPXquqP_GEMVZ6K0JVK7xw2o/s1600-h/sweet+invites+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrXgcgmc2Oojb8KJAFVM83Wvpezrkdf9Eo9-SyN37VYz8US3omEXE6vtWVmXR73RMpwyTU21fLBwJtYFpiY3fsSAgBdrozjpe1CWBHIvBi_64XkLrKzFCPXquqP_GEMVZ6K0JVK7xw2o/s1600/sweet+invites+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385497926082288626" border="0" /></a><br />Like <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/05/moh-hos-invite-suite.html">MOH-Ho's wedding invitations</a>, this set is also printed on a single piece of cardstock. Included are the 3 strips, address label, plus a couple extra matching small labels/tags:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OJXjHxDGY6yQZM85AvTmaobju475-W9FeenL6ygUs9sj2qxUe_oyIbs6ntBZV-Go1sfcNvQ1EHfYJZ637SzLHffeMLm4nvFo6f7ZXG2d5uXmBf6NKv2qDZDaaWhumfoEmpRm8Lx8E8M/s1600-h/shower+invite+template.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OJXjHxDGY6yQZM85AvTmaobju475-W9FeenL6ygUs9sj2qxUe_oyIbs6ntBZV-Go1sfcNvQ1EHfYJZ637SzLHffeMLm4nvFo6f7ZXG2d5uXmBf6NKv2qDZDaaWhumfoEmpRm8Lx8E8M/s400/shower+invite+template.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386071847516502226" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/20274615/Sweet-Shower-Invite-Template">CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS TEMPLATE</a><br /><br /><br />Also like MOH-Ho's wedding invitations, <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/07/moh-hos-thank-you-cards-downloadable.html">matching thank-yous</a> will follow :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>NOTES:<br /><ul><li>Paper - <a href="http://www.paperandmore.com/linen_card_stock_recycled_bright_white.html"> Recycled white linen cardstock</a> for the invite, and <a href="http://www.paperandmore.com/pastel_pink_vellum_paper_27.html">pastel pink vellum</a> for the envelope.</li><li>Text - <a href="http://www.dafont.com/afl-font-pespaye-no.font">AFL Font Pespaye Nonmetric</a></li><li>Envelope -<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOOTY0OP8yO8q-dNxxaIQvQS8Lt86PVNb2510dN7QckDGQkzr9muB4ll_7rB3bDnOUJZwG5xGGbClhunKqYLNo1FjlNN5LTgDdzHRSvoHDgE1R2KFdfrC1ApO6ZYGzmpLk4RiExrJY84/s1600-h/sweet+invite+envelope.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOOTY0OP8yO8q-dNxxaIQvQS8Lt86PVNb2510dN7QckDGQkzr9muB4ll_7rB3bDnOUJZwG5xGGbClhunKqYLNo1FjlNN5LTgDdzHRSvoHDgE1R2KFdfrC1ApO6ZYGzmpLk4RiExrJY84/s400/sweet+invite+envelope.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386064187981484018" border="0" /></a></li></ul><ol><li>Cut 10" x 7" piece of vellum</li><li>Score and fold in at solid red lines (the 2 shorter folds first, then the middle)</li><li>Insert invite</li><li>Sew shut at dotted line right above top edge of invite</li></ol><br />Planning this sweet shindig has been difficult for me for a lot of reasons. I've never attended a bridal shower before, I'm doing this long distance and my summer field assignment has kept me super busy and exhausted, plus I'm nervous that it won't be good enough for her friends and family (I'm not around women much!). Fortunately MOH-Ho has been very supportive and forgiving about my shortcomings. While I feel bad that she has to work on her own shower, I really couldn't do it without her!<br /><br />Would you mind helping with your own shower?Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-7431779409043448282009-08-23T00:00:00.000-07:002009-08-23T01:12:25.876-07:00360 'Round the Sun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5dP-GiPC1DzTCpW0OZqACS28GaSsyT84PjfMaRiW1DI-_Lx8ZToO_6rCoR6xtQH2pKGvWqWhnYUe0zrMIaKuw7VVJqWLSpEzNzeP1plNJLkef2Hd2A4B-BtApVk7O9vAVGdpJ35uFuI/s1600-h/anniversary+bouqet+09+p.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5dP-GiPC1DzTCpW0OZqACS28GaSsyT84PjfMaRiW1DI-_Lx8ZToO_6rCoR6xtQH2pKGvWqWhnYUe0zrMIaKuw7VVJqWLSpEzNzeP1plNJLkef2Hd2A4B-BtApVk7O9vAVGdpJ35uFuI/s1600/anniversary+bouqet+09+p.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372534168547103378" border="0" /></a><br />A year ago today I put on a <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2008/11/tea-party-into-poof.html">silly poofy dress</a>, <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/01/tea-party-sealed-with-high-five.html">high fived a stud</a>, <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/01/tea-party-weekend-quicky-edition-ovah.html">did my own stunt</a>, <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/02/tea-party-ba-ba-baaa.html">lip synced to Neil</a>, <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/03/tea-party-face-meet-cake.html">got smashed with cake</a>, and <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/04/tea-party-da-get-down.html">danced like no one's watching</a>.<br /><br />It was off the hook! But contrary to what people tell me, it was not the best time of my life, by far.<br /><br />You see, ol' Miss Independent here was a non believer in marriage 'til not too long before walking down that aisle. "Didn't need some title or piece of paper to define what I've got," so arrogantly I thought to my ignorant little self.<br /><br />But holy crap y'all marriage <s>is the best thing since<o:p></o:p></s> was always better than sliced bread! I now recommend it like it's <a href="https://www.shamwow.com/">Shamwow</a>, tooting how you'll be saying <span style="font-style: italic;">wow</span>. A good husband is great for the house, the car, the boat, the RV, and can hold 12x his weight in liquid!<br /><br />Married life has been a blast, and the simplest days sitting on the couch enjoying it totally beat the excitement of a wedding. Not to put down the big party, of course, but I hope brides-to-be don't lose sight of the wonders ahead, especially in those stressful hours of tissue paper fluffing and such.<br /><br />And to my husband - thanks for all the wows.<br /><br />Photo: 1st in the series of anniversary bouquets that is <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2008/09/sentiments-or-my-lack-there-of.html"> my endless wedding present</a>.Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-69321451787695324702009-07-20T10:18:00.000-07:002009-07-20T10:58:25.229-07:00RSVP TrackingI got a black light pen so MOH-Ho can track her <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/05/moh-hos-invite-suite.html">RSVPs</a>, in case any of them comes in illegible, damaged in the mail (it is a postcard, afterall), or my favorite - blank. I actually tracked my own by marking them with an inkless pen, but this is definitely safer and easier. I found this pen for barely over a buck (shipping included!), so I thought I'd show you the results and share the deal:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEyN-AVPUSD2rC1zneJAuZZ7OqKBpC7EHsNoaquDI8r-dcceFEpYQbX_EE06Q-kFk05EaPRQu5ZLRVkirQtRH78Cn9ZeKVYjoBw_GF5dB3xGYbriyyLcVIrzddmaOXDdpCpn7G8lKLtE/s1600-h/rsvpmark02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEyN-AVPUSD2rC1zneJAuZZ7OqKBpC7EHsNoaquDI8r-dcceFEpYQbX_EE06Q-kFk05EaPRQu5ZLRVkirQtRH78Cn9ZeKVYjoBw_GF5dB3xGYbriyyLcVIrzddmaOXDdpCpn7G8lKLtE/s1600/rsvpmark02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360592990618825442" border="0" /></a>You really can't tell the markings at all under normal lighting:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozwfeTKaD7fT-f1XhA3ZoXNpDGELhBfAv5F9lsr9i7AU0NJW0AzYWSuvNsnKAuoUs22a2GfvnYIDepMtQa5Gues-Qh4pCq-Sw7kg2T9tD_OkMHe1LEHcBQAM6YaJslclchr-XkGmcmC8/s1600-h/rsvpmark01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozwfeTKaD7fT-f1XhA3ZoXNpDGELhBfAv5F9lsr9i7AU0NJW0AzYWSuvNsnKAuoUs22a2GfvnYIDepMtQa5Gues-Qh4pCq-Sw7kg2T9tD_OkMHe1LEHcBQAM6YaJslclchr-XkGmcmC8/s1600/rsvpmark01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360592987425956546" border="0" /></a><br />I bought the pen <a href="http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.88">HERE</a>, and shipping took like 3 weeks (I was in no hurry so it didn't matter). Packaging was crappy (definitely don't send it directly as a gift), but the pen itself works perfectly. $1.33 for a good little spy pen to arrive right in my mailbox, really can't be beat.Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-71445342558438261962009-07-14T10:03:00.000-07:002009-07-14T14:25:31.572-07:00MOH-Ho's Thank You Cards (Downloadable Template Included)Matching <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/05/moh-hos-invite-suite.html">the invite suite</a> I designed for MOH-Ho, here are her thank you cards:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLbSRHCarwHuOmVeksc7KODiskK0SDd7Hci63v-JF6-sgmr5lpuIQJI_FDa8oEKnyULct2JFpS_gp9hQPqXuQmG4-scYUS_cLIPVNBCU81-8o2BoP6DoA123yUfOw60sDY9kWVfIMJIg/s1600-h/TY04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLbSRHCarwHuOmVeksc7KODiskK0SDd7Hci63v-JF6-sgmr5lpuIQJI_FDa8oEKnyULct2JFpS_gp9hQPqXuQmG4-scYUS_cLIPVNBCU81-8o2BoP6DoA123yUfOw60sDY9kWVfIMJIg/s1600/TY04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357991734299751298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbfbqFKdJgBFAGWIkmBFhLW5MxIOTWt6WTx0fQB3m_4lWfC2yG5QTuZ57KddtEbU7PfLLi_qeIOeAQf9W5faByI2Ww_UBRRSW0jl5MBp41g1aIeBbiXX4Tjm2n_XIDGqvRHKPFosBhQQ/s1600-h/TY01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbfbqFKdJgBFAGWIkmBFhLW5MxIOTWt6WTx0fQB3m_4lWfC2yG5QTuZ57KddtEbU7PfLLi_qeIOeAQf9W5faByI2Ww_UBRRSW0jl5MBp41g1aIeBbiXX4Tjm2n_XIDGqvRHKPFosBhQQ/s1600/TY01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357991732409975986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkSK-N7Hl2Y0eXyD-dlA0_qBOZfwiTtTZ9Tj-WBGDqMCyqcwstdULhqNiP-38oPTt_K6ZAtb0qwCeJEOuYy-L1jH2R8WUTsc-yN6jSyzUXB6_orU5cRBtH_m5qCMd358uhSPXXM1xYRQ/s1600-h/TY02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkSK-N7Hl2Y0eXyD-dlA0_qBOZfwiTtTZ9Tj-WBGDqMCyqcwstdULhqNiP-38oPTt_K6ZAtb0qwCeJEOuYy-L1jH2R8WUTsc-yN6jSyzUXB6_orU5cRBtH_m5qCMd358uhSPXXM1xYRQ/s1600/TY02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357991721679054594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqIdAzeufuFjIhLGKXMrLm0UZHoePFjqdrbvlCXfZDs9UG4sIH2iemxO8lrqM6X-o05vCjbzzqreEwD6pqcH_Ohv31btLMhfzMrH4hiEkUn2xZ5aERxH5ZBzH1pZDufgfv3_TqjV9RtA/s1600-h/TY03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqIdAzeufuFjIhLGKXMrLm0UZHoePFjqdrbvlCXfZDs9UG4sIH2iemxO8lrqM6X-o05vCjbzzqreEwD6pqcH_Ohv31btLMhfzMrH4hiEkUn2xZ5aERxH5ZBzH1pZDufgfv3_TqjV9RtA/s1600/TY03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357991719126002114" border="0" /></a><br />I included both the cover and the inside of this card for download (print one on the front and the other on the back of the same piece of paper). It was a pain to get it to line up correctly, and I don't have any tips to give on that one. If it's giving you too much trouble though, the cover alone still makes a nice card. The file contains these:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2VgMT_8Bvbp3r_UpBOpSwsB395zZMyZzGIfNJPYrUUDAXoG4PM2J4DSz8yNFWslhwNF0Go28UUP_qda-IW7wz3B0JZ8nWwfIAS5gNQETuOqpivYNeNpX4839KDuFSQ8xAO43Y9mPVE4/s1600-h/TY+DL+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2VgMT_8Bvbp3r_UpBOpSwsB395zZMyZzGIfNJPYrUUDAXoG4PM2J4DSz8yNFWslhwNF0Go28UUP_qda-IW7wz3B0JZ8nWwfIAS5gNQETuOqpivYNeNpX4839KDuFSQ8xAO43Y9mPVE4/s400/TY+DL+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358395600636162530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRDw-7ghCDgWx273PPyTnOganIlewER8fXb3jcJPxStZHoVxHUGSPgMbmTaqc4BxhlRcEBdyhqvYfdE4q3EbG32u7k9xRUVbO3-mHa1aG3fp2abOJzQgtfLRz25lbTSMA7sTZYScdPlk/s1600-h/TY+DL+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRDw-7ghCDgWx273PPyTnOganIlewER8fXb3jcJPxStZHoVxHUGSPgMbmTaqc4BxhlRcEBdyhqvYfdE4q3EbG32u7k9xRUVbO3-mHa1aG3fp2abOJzQgtfLRz25lbTSMA7sTZYScdPlk/s400/TY+DL+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358395597320841394" border="0" /></a>You can't see it from the pics here but I put in faint lines to help guide the cuts. Cutting the circle from the cover only works if you print both sides, but it is optional either way. I highly recommend scoring the card at the fold.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/17354585/Purple-Circles-Thank-You-Card">CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE</a><br /><br />Notes:<br /><ul><li>Find details on the paper and envelope on the post for the <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/05/moh-hos-invite-suite.html">invite suite</a></li><li>Actual colors vary depending on your printer (also, if you print it on the gold paper like I did, the colors come out darker than they appear on white paper)<br /></li></ul><br />Enjoy!Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-58695325363848168762009-07-13T00:00:00.000-07:002009-07-14T11:48:19.679-07:00MOH-Ho's Invite Suite (DownloadableTemplate Included)<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">EDIT: Apologies to those who were asking about this post, I had to take it offline for awhile and completely redo the photos. I know it took me a long time and the photos aren't as good as before, but everything is harder to do since <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/04/ello.html">I'm far from home</a>, sorry about that.</span></span><br /><br />Here are the invites I designed for MOH-Ho's wedding. I worked really hard on making these efficient (the set is printed on a single sheet of 8.5x11 cardstock). While I thoroughly enjoy receiving a pretty invite, I also feel terrible when I throw out fancy sets that include so much material. So I was thrilled that MOH-Ho and her parents appreciated the compactness as I did!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Here's the whole suite:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Y1a4_P6cyyIE7TblDQNkJUY39aUdPdV7cdGd16P_CMjtUAqlpKTFnEhTgFYlgcZNChkeq_3GD0KDtjAspaTNcXVlW2seqFxCNzvYOTrxU85G9sUpdvMVM3ycSSl3wNRLkzcsBjd3mUY/s1600-h/invites002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Y1a4_P6cyyIE7TblDQNkJUY39aUdPdV7cdGd16P_CMjtUAqlpKTFnEhTgFYlgcZNChkeq_3GD0KDtjAspaTNcXVlW2seqFxCNzvYOTrxU85G9sUpdvMVM3ycSSl3wNRLkzcsBjd3mUY/s1600/invites002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357976119919237778" border="0" /></a><br />Instead of an inner envelope, I added matching circles with first names of guests to top the suite that is tied together by a cotton string:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IrMD3hQex8Kcnbu-dzNFg9zZ9FufUuJaVAWW-yIfydqBrBFEoTNTDAsFyODMJ878zk7_Nr2jc0C6BolSlvjsXVwEpS5s1o890sKtnE3dnN-kJL1sFmK6CBkS5S4hBfg47actKlx-dHI/s1600-h/invites001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IrMD3hQex8Kcnbu-dzNFg9zZ9FufUuJaVAWW-yIfydqBrBFEoTNTDAsFyODMJ878zk7_Nr2jc0C6BolSlvjsXVwEpS5s1o890sKtnE3dnN-kJL1sFmK6CBkS5S4hBfg47actKlx-dHI/s1600/invites001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357976110440388114" border="0" /></a><br />A closer look at the directions/website card and the RSVP postcard:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNlcssvLhnv5B3ZOBDlbikB7O4qO3vRKj89RcDB4_kqNiq9wP0f6AWvSjPt7dHreFCQl8IbS-IwtY-h5Jitd4CxfZ8inkXj9_t0_jnPHtnDisnYT3h6k8h8hGjJD-U3xBwCPV9wAcVVE/s1600-h/invites003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNlcssvLhnv5B3ZOBDlbikB7O4qO3vRKj89RcDB4_kqNiq9wP0f6AWvSjPt7dHreFCQl8IbS-IwtY-h5Jitd4CxfZ8inkXj9_t0_jnPHtnDisnYT3h6k8h8hGjJD-U3xBwCPV9wAcVVE/s1600/invites003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357976123080183010" border="0" /></a><br />Back of envelope and back of postcard:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-erUANXI232dnTIuVPwIcvwjtpz7_MBvVNhtCH1B17e8fIOgt3QWQmR6j4WwDUCmxY15YAOHXHByC85l1z5nO0zmFnF85Vj74b74Y20Ls31WwmBPKC_YZ7RvF-JaCRzERhu7gjGfgnAE/s1600-h/invites004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-erUANXI232dnTIuVPwIcvwjtpz7_MBvVNhtCH1B17e8fIOgt3QWQmR6j4WwDUCmxY15YAOHXHByC85l1z5nO0zmFnF85Vj74b74Y20Ls31WwmBPKC_YZ7RvF-JaCRzERhu7gjGfgnAE/s1600/invites004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357976128063623970" border="0" /></a><br />The texture and color of the paper added the perfect touch :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVgQBtceUFHGwKtpP9M0qcLMg3YLIjS7wv1fg2QSohCKGjZG4EHj4qP07l2xcpZO2gBSOyVIPErOkcwu1UJOApItBYccamAHLDYG05hayc-D3ArMvmxcQe2GupoElD0QV80rBTCoYH3s/s1600-h/invites005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVgQBtceUFHGwKtpP9M0qcLMg3YLIjS7wv1fg2QSohCKGjZG4EHj4qP07l2xcpZO2gBSOyVIPErOkcwu1UJOApItBYccamAHLDYG05hayc-D3ArMvmxcQe2GupoElD0QV80rBTCoYH3s/s1600/invites005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357976130005721026" border="0" /></a><br />Cost Breakdown for 100 invites:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.paperandmore.com/4bar_metallic_ruby_purple_envelopes.html">Purple Metallic Envelopes</a> (100): $24<br /><a href="http://www.paperandmore.com/linen_cardstock_metallic_gold.html">Gold Linen Metallic Cardstock</a> (100): $28<br />String from craft store: $2<br />Tax & Shipping: $8<br />Home printing cost not included since I have no way to estimate and would vary depending on your printer<br /><br />Cost per invite suite: <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">$0.62</span></span><br /><br /><br />Below is the template set for this invite suite free for you to download:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijd-tUzGvjiaJrOlEOcwIFM40pNhTQnTqLLoioHqVvnbYNF59P_P9VcsLIGeuHRCqr06xPK2zYi8p6rSarLN8CrQK_mWNdJ2Ph8pw9sV_G0aJGVhQ8mZl3wOZ9g05NtwtLF7cV71YKnGc/s1600-h/invites10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijd-tUzGvjiaJrOlEOcwIFM40pNhTQnTqLLoioHqVvnbYNF59P_P9VcsLIGeuHRCqr06xPK2zYi8p6rSarLN8CrQK_mWNdJ2Ph8pw9sV_G0aJGVhQ8mZl3wOZ9g05NtwtLF7cV71YKnGc/s1600/invites10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328433451769954866" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/14607024/Purple-Rounds-Invite-Suite-Template"><br /></a><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/15131756/Purple-Rounds-Invite-Suite-Template">CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE PART 1 (PDF)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/15131733/Text-for-Purple-Rounds-Invite-Suite-Template">CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE PART 2 (MS WORD)</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Instructions:</span><br />1. Download both templates<br />2. Personalize text (change wording, color, font, sizes to suit your needs) in the word document<br />3. Print both templates on the same piece of test sheet (be sure to recycle scratch paper if you have some around!)<br />4. Modify text format and move text boxes as appropriate, then repeat step 3&4 on new test sheet until satisfactory<br />5. Print on paper of your choice, see my recommendations in post<br />6. Cut and assemble<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Notes:</span><br /><ul><li>Included are 3 cards, label, 2 name tags</li><li>3 cards are identically sized, fits in a 4 bar ( 3 5/8"x 5 1/8") envelope</li><li>Postcard is slightly smaller than USPS standard (our local post office says they can still be mailed, just with a little more postage)</li><li>Sample pic shown with Birch Std font</li><li>Actual colors vary depending on your printer<br /></li></ul><br />Enjoy!Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-7641008593736457052009-07-06T09:32:00.000-07:002009-07-06T09:51:04.768-07:00Worthwhile<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-C0N6waBibkrFz7UTozvMMWLmriCM0gWIat2KZqyqPNI4J8u08roM1ttspaM84Mu4MJuedNvrCYJRhX9KBoOPHmP2BTAGivJDjGEMFRj4v_gD8gDzT9w1hP3Ff_H_-XezPzDaVeVkvY4/s1600-h/Reader+Centerpiece.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-C0N6waBibkrFz7UTozvMMWLmriCM0gWIat2KZqyqPNI4J8u08roM1ttspaM84Mu4MJuedNvrCYJRhX9KBoOPHmP2BTAGivJDjGEMFRj4v_gD8gDzT9w1hP3Ff_H_-XezPzDaVeVkvY4/s400/Reader+Centerpiece.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355385939671362306" border="0" /></a>I've spent endless hours on writing DIY posts that includes everything from detailed instructions to downloadable templates (I know I'm slacking as of late, y'all, but I've got <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/04/ello.html">a good excuse</a>!). Honestly though, even with plenty of your kind and wonderful feedback on my quirky creations, I often wonder if they are ever put to use.<br /><br />Enter reader Almost Wea who just made my friggin' week. Check out <a href="http://twoweasinapod.blogspot.com/2009/06/center-of-attention.html">her fabulous version</a> of the <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/06/moh-hos-centerpiece-mini-mockup.html">centerpieces I designed for MOH-Ho</a>! Woot! Thanks girl, you don't know how much this means to crafter who is sent 100 miles away from her tools for a whole summer!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*Photo by <a href="http://twoweasinapod.blogspot.com/">Almost Wea</a></span>Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-87575354602891042282009-06-07T00:02:00.000-07:002009-06-07T15:56:21.692-07:00MOH-Ho's Centerpiece Mini MockupI've had this centerpiece idea in mind for awhile, but I couldn't get MOH-Ho to picture it right to save my life! Last night we finally got together and did a small version mockup (the real one will have 5 vases instead of 3). We spent some quality time bringing my vision to life:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZnRORXFI1-jLaKWMvZzDMOh45STc9dq0bgfiJrGPGcY_zGbl_5MA6lV2wFAI6zoYyLc2vcwXOLY5pZp2s5Pz7qbwqN7T2-0L2E1TYng92q71oo_1K4zBKkUXLQyx6aYQxJyCpkDKSWo/s1600-h/centerpiece+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZnRORXFI1-jLaKWMvZzDMOh45STc9dq0bgfiJrGPGcY_zGbl_5MA6lV2wFAI6zoYyLc2vcwXOLY5pZp2s5Pz7qbwqN7T2-0L2E1TYng92q71oo_1K4zBKkUXLQyx6aYQxJyCpkDKSWo/s1600/centerpiece+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344636479259512434" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/05/moh-hos-invite-suite.html">The purple circles invites</a> I made for MOH-Ho's wedding was my original inspiration for these. I wanted to keep to the color palette and echo the circles theme. My expectations for these were similar to that for <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2008/06/evolution.html">my own centerpieces</a> - affordable, not wasteful, easy to set up, unique, incorporate florals... plus the added top criteria of making MOH-Ho happy. I'm glad to report a check on each of these :)<br /><br />Here's how it was done:<br /><br />1. Gather Supplies:<br /><ul><li>various sizes metal cans and small glass jars right out of the recycling bin (labels removed and thoroughly cleaned of course)<br /></li><li>all the same stuff from my <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/03/diy-thread-led-tealight-cover.html">thread LED tealight cover project</a>, except for the thread and tealight<br /></li><li>yarn<br /></li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7Vt8X_0EYtcfAZKwHbTS3FEKhbBYC14DuY818Zd1llcgIx2QUu1wXxDOOfhGb-UqxfQKxQeB-r-qDqQrkv9lHVkrSCUS2Yyy6uiTT02IJgQV3pz4CuwgmCAsvAAlifAJGrr70unY5Ow/s1600-h/centerpiece+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7Vt8X_0EYtcfAZKwHbTS3FEKhbBYC14DuY818Zd1llcgIx2QUu1wXxDOOfhGb-UqxfQKxQeB-r-qDqQrkv9lHVkrSCUS2Yyy6uiTT02IJgQV3pz4CuwgmCAsvAAlifAJGrr70unY5Ow/s1600/centerpiece+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344462024998386338" border="0" /></a>2. Read my post on the <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/03/diy-thread-led-tealight-cover.html">thread LED tealight cover</a> because the instructions are basically the same, replacing the tealight with the can, and yarn with the thread. Wrap the can with some sort of thick paper or thin cardboard (look for something to recycle, like my used manila envelop here) and tape the end to make a cylinder.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujTEbXOQOnxRvgF-HiC8LvKmiTVuDUkoJkX_FK5lOHmCwk3m_VLiCEzFeYyfncVjtUTm-UVQCJtfaqjFMuQ_IugveTq0g_i315UzLQJHTrjvo3nJglGdfPeaSABLe6tuJAIOeQ0q7Tbc/s1600-h/centerpiece+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujTEbXOQOnxRvgF-HiC8LvKmiTVuDUkoJkX_FK5lOHmCwk3m_VLiCEzFeYyfncVjtUTm-UVQCJtfaqjFMuQ_IugveTq0g_i315UzLQJHTrjvo3nJglGdfPeaSABLe6tuJAIOeQ0q7Tbc/s1600/centerpiece+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344462020686293074" border="0" /></a>3. Wrap cylinder with a plastic liner (here I used a flattened shipping air pillow)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-frtSXhIpnLo7-6ooH34w2a8ykNwtbupDfXWy7YCirzwb6OVE4aMqp8yg7H5T7zcz9YAsDE7j86M9gFm9j_Hs1p2vTI99jDZunfGP1A9UcT_ZHk3fA5XxX4sbGh-1od_Z0aui7kkEgYc/s1600-h/centerpiece+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-frtSXhIpnLo7-6ooH34w2a8ykNwtbupDfXWy7YCirzwb6OVE4aMqp8yg7H5T7zcz9YAsDE7j86M9gFm9j_Hs1p2vTI99jDZunfGP1A9UcT_ZHk3fA5XxX4sbGh-1od_Z0aui7kkEgYc/s1600/centerpiece+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344462021496239234" border="0" /></a>4. Wrap yarn around the cylinder loosely and pull can out of the cylinder. Make sure the yarn coverage goes beyond the height of the can.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrGN0jt0PqCrOiGrXgrvMp0OfSwwBYbUh7CR3EC3Ww17pJDm684TPdE4E5t1ycS6I6FHWtbMOLa61iUKczWe4UpsdaoOwCZ7l1H7yrMq6yLuT7QOKo7Kd_N2NJZadIWzc9Ti5Xtzouk8/s1600-h/centerpiece+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrGN0jt0PqCrOiGrXgrvMp0OfSwwBYbUh7CR3EC3Ww17pJDm684TPdE4E5t1ycS6I6FHWtbMOLa61iUKczWe4UpsdaoOwCZ7l1H7yrMq6yLuT7QOKo7Kd_N2NJZadIWzc9Ti5Xtzouk8/s1600/centerpiece+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344461888784149826" border="0" /></a>5. Saturate yarn with fabric stiffener of your choice.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZtQ43a_3Nuzy_fyzTs0j3SwCxHiB_nqBRXtTG086zFAjWnjm8VJ9WckK46PSEC9zgKQPA4H-6JdJ-m0pAaWsdhJXej-PSxKz-t0qNpOQFFq13S2gYcIaLlGfdXf_HKCZoz7mAY-hs3s/s1600-h/centerpiece+05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZtQ43a_3Nuzy_fyzTs0j3SwCxHiB_nqBRXtTG086zFAjWnjm8VJ9WckK46PSEC9zgKQPA4H-6JdJ-m0pAaWsdhJXej-PSxKz-t0qNpOQFFq13S2gYcIaLlGfdXf_HKCZoz7mAY-hs3s/s1600/centerpiece+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344461883118533442" border="0" /></a>6. Dry the yarn according to the instructions given on the stiffener's bottle. Mine calls for the microwave.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyD-fl0EMQCN69vIyzISUErOSHjvmQDCEiF0KgRfPrUvO6LJpVc2w4oOQNTEWFo2JjNDK3Ve0zcfi6l-n8nvGhSZxRcuBc9yP2nH8PJAssjcc7BP6G0NFSUq74pE_HVVg6ipJ6rN1bDw/s1600-h/centerpiece+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyD-fl0EMQCN69vIyzISUErOSHjvmQDCEiF0KgRfPrUvO6LJpVc2w4oOQNTEWFo2JjNDK3Ve0zcfi6l-n8nvGhSZxRcuBc9yP2nH8PJAssjcc7BP6G0NFSUq74pE_HVVg6ipJ6rN1bDw/s1600/centerpiece+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344461884274683074" border="0" /></a>7. Once dried, remove the paper/cardboard and plastic wrap (<a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/03/diy-thread-led-tealight-cover.html">like in the other project</a>). Then pull the yarn cylinder over the can.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWFzsJSWLgLBJZLjId2K4uGifFPBO8zJuiO2lIJ5wbeQP8mqQp8c4kFmEO8kj2QawD1NKbeFpCcbZR0ZMTGt89kD2K21IkTFxUF0krSsludF4wQ1K9Bzht7UBQBoNcSvpH8lCbO0T0X8/s1600-h/centerpiece+07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWFzsJSWLgLBJZLjId2K4uGifFPBO8zJuiO2lIJ5wbeQP8mqQp8c4kFmEO8kj2QawD1NKbeFpCcbZR0ZMTGt89kD2K21IkTFxUF0krSsludF4wQ1K9Bzht7UBQBoNcSvpH8lCbO0T0X8/s1600/centerpiece+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344461879544703746" border="0" /></a>8. Put a fun texture item of complimentary color in the glass jar which will become the base. Seal tightly with lid, smother top of cap with glue, then glue to bottom of the yarn covered can.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3XFUhatWHwraWCt609G0RsXyUt_LvrcFMbM1wZ6qFjh55469cRSFtkAeQ7IxEfIGlZPkgY__YeKbE1Mns_A7sYRDht3NMmmuiEsf8u8MrNrYy9AztllObf04nQpgMsUKf1GXRwGfb3o/s1600-h/centerpiece+08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3XFUhatWHwraWCt609G0RsXyUt_LvrcFMbM1wZ6qFjh55469cRSFtkAeQ7IxEfIGlZPkgY__YeKbE1Mns_A7sYRDht3NMmmuiEsf8u8MrNrYy9AztllObf04nQpgMsUKf1GXRwGfb3o/s1600/centerpiece+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344461878173007394" border="0" /></a>9. Let dry, and you've got yourself a funky little vase!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOmPHcV7nU1GhHW7lHIWdHTBLfRzDxRJP4xiBtCQVHdrkTp33PM-7o4M42XaI_6-9W4bDSuoWRdeAtKFiLfgZIJCkHDZybpYNMlS6NJnpuroGTo_J4vHrQfcthaU887sbQ7aqqfMKWKI/s1600-h/centerpiece+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOmPHcV7nU1GhHW7lHIWdHTBLfRzDxRJP4xiBtCQVHdrkTp33PM-7o4M42XaI_6-9W4bDSuoWRdeAtKFiLfgZIJCkHDZybpYNMlS6NJnpuroGTo_J4vHrQfcthaU887sbQ7aqqfMKWKI/s1600/centerpiece+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344461742325131842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVzF-sY1KkyPLDkMkrPCv1A_Tz6lRHWy_aPqBcQG4qFnfrVjfCL9RkIq7xzM0PJta2yhtpv9iQNnLBSkcQQ1EvPYRd1EBFgOHQIcJ6k99vu_XA_Efb_nDci3AdWd-S9tlhEmcsMdWlVA/s1600-h/centerpiece+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVzF-sY1KkyPLDkMkrPCv1A_Tz6lRHWy_aPqBcQG4qFnfrVjfCL9RkIq7xzM0PJta2yhtpv9iQNnLBSkcQQ1EvPYRd1EBFgOHQIcJ6k99vu_XA_Efb_nDci3AdWd-S9tlhEmcsMdWlVA/s1600/centerpiece+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344461741537764818" border="0" /></a>10. Repeat steps above with cans and jars of different shapes and sizes, along with similar color yarn of various shades. Compliment with other fun textured filler in the jars (here are Sugar in the Raw, dried split pea, and coffee beans).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtl5qRI3LD3M_gKdTzWMaI30Sf_YLhIvLrL-SoJxqP6pP7pKEAe7CzZuwqmLh_kKGuxLspJXyZxoo2fX-NvjThoN2hjymyqJrYr8sW8rmvVs2xIwGqSn2SGjoFHXZv-I72T2iLhwUUmvA/s1600-h/centerpiece+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtl5qRI3LD3M_gKdTzWMaI30Sf_YLhIvLrL-SoJxqP6pP7pKEAe7CzZuwqmLh_kKGuxLspJXyZxoo2fX-NvjThoN2hjymyqJrYr8sW8rmvVs2xIwGqSn2SGjoFHXZv-I72T2iLhwUUmvA/s1600/centerpiece+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344461732477742354" border="0" /></a><br />You can fill the set of vases with different flowers of the same color...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-JEhf2Er9vg4qOg9_XeaO7wzRv28vPrctq6tiGwd98SPSr1odu-FyxI_mDphbJJjDMU5NLQ6JzwqU4on4PMjA0Hie06CCuWS4ViZtN6_nkcVyj4FUGUFlmFY7MHf3kPHAh4-H84iUaU/s1600-h/centerpiece+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-JEhf2Er9vg4qOg9_XeaO7wzRv28vPrctq6tiGwd98SPSr1odu-FyxI_mDphbJJjDMU5NLQ6JzwqU4on4PMjA0Hie06CCuWS4ViZtN6_nkcVyj4FUGUFlmFY7MHf3kPHAh4-H84iUaU/s1600/centerpiece+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344461738423504770" border="0" /></a><br />... or fill them all with the same stems!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvARgTESmKlkVZOYV5ICG7iH7UioCa1yNs_2IBXW1l4K4rdVzJzIC1wrkqs8ZH2MRKIZKj6HKTT2G9OcmVw3hnZW91spWjhXCPeta2ClS1rtImqdYI86HBwVvkgJSSvP5rE0_7YPY3zck/s1600-h/centerpiece+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvARgTESmKlkVZOYV5ICG7iH7UioCa1yNs_2IBXW1l4K4rdVzJzIC1wrkqs8ZH2MRKIZKj6HKTT2G9OcmVw3hnZW91spWjhXCPeta2ClS1rtImqdYI86HBwVvkgJSSvP5rE0_7YPY3zck/s1600/centerpiece+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344461727744532098" border="0" /></a><br />The real centerpiece will have a total of 5 vases, using 2 additional shades of purple yarn along with 2 other texture base (rice and breadcrumbs). We'll also use 5 different white filler flowers. <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2008/06/power-of-single-flower.html">I've said before</a> that single bloom arrangements has great advantages, and the simplicity and cost savings works out perfectly with this centerpiece!<br /><br />There will be a table number display to complete the centerpiece, but that's a project all on its own. The chosen texture bases actually share a significance in the couple's relationship, but I'll have to save that for the table number post. So... more to come!Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-52762266661587293902009-05-26T21:51:00.000-07:002009-05-26T22:54:30.950-07:00DIY Lovebugs MagnetsThe <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/02/diy-bee-mine-magnets.html">little bees</a> were much loved, so I made them some friends to join the party. The instructions for making the rest of the crew are very similar to that of the <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/02/diy-bee-mine-magnets.html">original bee magnets</a>. Variations are illustrated here in photos:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYUyUjlES7c2bjmBchWr9seP-Psx7Hb3Mr4OxqfJrAHCW39sbv3eIY40CdUracu9aA_t0VqyRgm0icE9GTXwfsfOy34KgRkC7D8CvqhwgGJiR_Poj4vgwPGbmw2bNF_5Xx6m0c4yO4Vo/s1600-h/lovebugs01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYUyUjlES7c2bjmBchWr9seP-Psx7Hb3Mr4OxqfJrAHCW39sbv3eIY40CdUracu9aA_t0VqyRgm0icE9GTXwfsfOy34KgRkC7D8CvqhwgGJiR_Poj4vgwPGbmw2bNF_5Xx6m0c4yO4Vo/s1600/lovebugs01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340362339458634690" border="0" /></a>The basic paint job:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ76ZIzRXq_872ZiHvP0xAn9KAuXE8mocHFJ6SWyOIGb9BMXpMrwasBK67M5kGpaTLx9l7KEOo7rPa1UgCAZAbRnqCaDvTVVBy7z8QRMqlbW89fg3f7ksdZz3ocvcMR-thNegxMsq8Ek/s1600-h/lovebugs02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ76ZIzRXq_872ZiHvP0xAn9KAuXE8mocHFJ6SWyOIGb9BMXpMrwasBK67M5kGpaTLx9l7KEOo7rPa1UgCAZAbRnqCaDvTVVBy7z8QRMqlbW89fg3f7ksdZz3ocvcMR-thNegxMsq8Ek/s1600/lovebugs02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340367354392595890" border="0" /></a>Butterfly:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKg8sm_nIDshfMyLqzaqiYqD7wP5R0z5E139_GT2chFEc7NOoOKcWOWzyWYA5deqSQEQr807hOB7c3QCfoq7uRzw7ro38AE2qycpCUzUy7wDoWQiSLsNR3-JqgEM9SH8qFpgmi2taM2Y/s1600-h/lovebugs03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKg8sm_nIDshfMyLqzaqiYqD7wP5R0z5E139_GT2chFEc7NOoOKcWOWzyWYA5deqSQEQr807hOB7c3QCfoq7uRzw7ro38AE2qycpCUzUy7wDoWQiSLsNR3-JqgEM9SH8qFpgmi2taM2Y/s1600/lovebugs03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340375988621407650" border="0" /></a>Spidy:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0_pI11QffV6l1ZXBF_Jqk3PXk9XnRobOaDTESb1g_0bFt5IKgTmAZqovLhT4fIDyzMV4cEMjmtlvBEJwtsSeeXSKZKtVOXH6JDKLFtirG381jYGwVrDWML_py-ybfRUFxlkdSNyaVnI/s1600-h/lovebugs04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0_pI11QffV6l1ZXBF_Jqk3PXk9XnRobOaDTESb1g_0bFt5IKgTmAZqovLhT4fIDyzMV4cEMjmtlvBEJwtsSeeXSKZKtVOXH6JDKLFtirG381jYGwVrDWML_py-ybfRUFxlkdSNyaVnI/s1600/lovebugs04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340369557951575906" border="0" /></a>Glue:<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoxwoJ_trRHYbARZXxBZSgLEUlrMVN68TYeIUyl_9-pU525TFVg4WAx4vLM7XbaaGvmDZsoPtGNEBLJsVUyebbyzM36HtpZJYrTEJnuQAYHTRI-B-X3veOgm4GXTwxwFayZQagrwmUR0/s1600-h/lovebugs05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoxwoJ_trRHYbARZXxBZSgLEUlrMVN68TYeIUyl_9-pU525TFVg4WAx4vLM7XbaaGvmDZsoPtGNEBLJsVUyebbyzM36HtpZJYrTEJnuQAYHTRI-B-X3veOgm4GXTwxwFayZQagrwmUR0/s1600/lovebugs05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340370563792099826" border="0" /></a>Da packaging:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY42KIN4D6PV0j-6pcLI_WqsTJUhm5ewS3DiBkIhaBO_g7AszJc4HbZ8ggGnHbumzWg52efVycNR3-YSAqNXWKQzwImJa4k75pGfxvbKduGi5N-ZHxyWKClW-C6sC3gnDmgbMxA2YD-hI/s1600-h/lovebugs06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY42KIN4D6PV0j-6pcLI_WqsTJUhm5ewS3DiBkIhaBO_g7AszJc4HbZ8ggGnHbumzWg52efVycNR3-YSAqNXWKQzwImJa4k75pGfxvbKduGi5N-ZHxyWKClW-C6sC3gnDmgbMxA2YD-hI/s1600/lovebugs06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340372612945530450" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPt7JsXRRvyZ75-KRHyNTwRJzDmI894TXNQk7XPj_8Tdp3OMH7f526eRvdZWSTDCfn-VEdOKmNVGbybIGVYdvTiWyq4kksKFjgbk8yuN4VuDXFy2d6juCTGRqdX1BfyOJaOP81R18lts/s1600-h/lovebugs07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPt7JsXRRvyZ75-KRHyNTwRJzDmI894TXNQk7XPj_8Tdp3OMH7f526eRvdZWSTDCfn-VEdOKmNVGbybIGVYdvTiWyq4kksKFjgbk8yuN4VuDXFy2d6juCTGRqdX1BfyOJaOP81R18lts/s1600/lovebugs07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340373527133368690" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Crafting!Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-4249664552929627812009-04-30T09:33:00.000-07:002009-04-30T09:50:28.917-07:00ello<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DeIShNVQQYIfYQwPRqNUnBIFo3W-VYhiHO1oTG-e7siRQXtPSYTfWtUzH-aWWe3VS2RDPhn8_t98n0ylhHPbQEwHsTT8dS9zWFndCD6cDINE5bAgy0NwZQjs8hx8OpQZAaRF9h0zp1M/s1600-h/office.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DeIShNVQQYIfYQwPRqNUnBIFo3W-VYhiHO1oTG-e7siRQXtPSYTfWtUzH-aWWe3VS2RDPhn8_t98n0ylhHPbQEwHsTT8dS9zWFndCD6cDINE5bAgy0NwZQjs8hx8OpQZAaRF9h0zp1M/s1600/office.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330523484466360546" border="0" /></a>When I had the luxury of blogging regularly, I thought it was silly for authors to apologize for their absence when they go missing for awhile. I think I understand how they feel now.<br /><br />I'm going through a big transition at work, which is also impacting my personal life in a huge way (moving away alone). I meant to blog from the hotel, but I've just been too drained.<br /><br />I have quite a few DIY projects half started back home. It's hard to work on them when all my tools are 2 hours away. I've been working on getting that <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/03/moh-hos-invites-preview.html">invitation template</a> up since I keep getting requests for it. I want to make it easy to use, and my dear brother is helping me develop a method. I don't know if we can get it to work, but we're trying.<br /><br />I'm also really tired of looking at my own wedding pics, but I had promised myself that I would finish the recap, and I am not one to break promises.<br /><br />In short, I'll be back. I just need things to settle down a bit. I miss you guys.<br /><br />Image is one of the views from my new 'office' (da 'office' stretches approximately 6 miles).Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-79106479504946043032009-04-22T07:22:00.000-07:002009-04-22T08:25:40.685-07:00Happy Earth DayOne of my favorite Chinese sayings translates directly as 'Drink Water Think Fountain', reminding us to consider and be grateful for sources we take / benefit from. Sometimes it's hard to believe I have such smarties as ancestors...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBFKXvYta5r0f4tZIzBQEDX_gBqyCfcWMZNpi3M6Um8HT3p9MqdrrOzwfa-PCIQCD6T6XA3Hn-Blq26g1a7G5gMMIy5VgsLqWH3k4c3HG-VzFsZKCOvqqtMbbD4KKKW2hd9UHtHvArrM/s1600-h/earthday.htm"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBFKXvYta5r0f4tZIzBQEDX_gBqyCfcWMZNpi3M6Um8HT3p9MqdrrOzwfa-PCIQCD6T6XA3Hn-Blq26g1a7G5gMMIy5VgsLqWH3k4c3HG-VzFsZKCOvqqtMbbD4KKKW2hd9UHtHvArrM/s1600/earthday.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327520953530302546" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.blogsdna.com/id/1499/10-best-google-android-g1-phone-wallpapers-download-now.htm/">Image Source</a></span><br /></div>Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-48052151983927754532009-04-21T22:00:00.000-07:002009-04-22T09:21:31.439-07:00The Tea Party: Da Get Down<span style="font-size:85%;">Previously: </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2008/11/tea-party-prelude-got-beaten-up-got-to.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">1. Prelude</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> ,</span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2008/11/tea-party-tea-with-side-of-discipline.html"><span style="font-size:85%;"> 2. Tea Ceremony</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> ,</span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2008/11/tea-party-into-poof.html"><span style="font-size:85%;"> 3. Getting Ready</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2008/11/tea-party-young-and-fussless.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">4. The Kids</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2008/11/tea-party-fashion-faux-pas-show.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">5. Wedding Party</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/01/tea-party-walk-walk.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">6. Down the Aisle</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/01/tea-party-sealed-with-high-five.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">7. Ceremony</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/01/tea-party-jello-dippin.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">8. Group Shots</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> , </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/01/tea-party-da-posers.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">9. Couple Shots</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/01/tea-party-weekend-quicky-edition-ovah.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">10. Jump Shots</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, , </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/01/tea-party-playing-house.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">11. House Shots</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/02/tea-party-our-sneaky-little-private.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">12. Cocktails & Dinner</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/02/tea-party-ba-ba-baaa.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">13. First Dance</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/03/tea-party-whose-wedding-is-it-anyway.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">14. Parents Dance</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/03/tea-party-peanuts-teacher-toasts.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">15. Toasts</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> , </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/03/tea-party-face-meet-cake.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">16. Cake</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> , </span><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/04/tea-party-pole-dancing.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">17. Lion Dance</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/04/tea-party-chocolatey-goodness.html">18. Sweet Fountain</a></span><br /><br />A lot of thought was put into the dancing portion. I know that while I put effort to get on the dance floor at weddings, I don't often stay out for long. But when I do, watch-out y'all, <a href="http://www.kpickler.com/images/randy_talk.jpg">we got a hot one in here</a>!<br /><br />From the dj to the music to the set up to the timing of events+++, we considered as much as we could and made decisions based on what would keep guests around and dance through the night. Well, our hard work paid off, because every single guest was on the dance floor at some point and most of them boogied til the end!<br /><br />Here's us showing 'em how itz done:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGamPD9pnpvr_VxKgHN6fuCP6e9igBPJgPQkPYpTgCuNXenElQvC0d1uCC-H12TqxEQYDFo4E8LovvHCFiSN6-3-cqu0wbbCozNnoXGsSXnef0O1pul_lf7w2ERfY4qaP0iDdAKfuK7o/s1600-h/677c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGamPD9pnpvr_VxKgHN6fuCP6e9igBPJgPQkPYpTgCuNXenElQvC0d1uCC-H12TqxEQYDFo4E8LovvHCFiSN6-3-cqu0wbbCozNnoXGsSXnef0O1pul_lf7w2ERfY4qaP0iDdAKfuK7o/s1600/677c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327333373589890114" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We actually cleared the dance floor several times for planned activities, but with our lead (plus a few strategies) the shaking booties always came right on back:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4iczTxiRNxlRIhetMD9y6GANRCy41qcuw82Xu9B7paChTgjnZN3SLsFwmFrxDkoqQq977JoqlNtzhbVyyQowKTv3L3edo5K2pWtgCaLyOl0UFC4uzfoBwarjcFhNDEJpdloiFlhOhkY/s1600-h/0691.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4iczTxiRNxlRIhetMD9y6GANRCy41qcuw82Xu9B7paChTgjnZN3SLsFwmFrxDkoqQq977JoqlNtzhbVyyQowKTv3L3edo5K2pWtgCaLyOl0UFC4uzfoBwarjcFhNDEJpdloiFlhOhkY/s1600/0691.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327332528182041554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-Za2mbCjfRgX8fupeSWVTgqfyqd1zOt_2JALJqi6GJVBwxQIGnkkBboWNjtor6jkdLrscA1ZrbMC4zL5huktsxv6ujHJAky8M1sdrqL637pwP_CuxWmXmmyE4UqqgEF7H9tUgXLC1h8/s1600-h/691a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-Za2mbCjfRgX8fupeSWVTgqfyqd1zOt_2JALJqi6GJVBwxQIGnkkBboWNjtor6jkdLrscA1ZrbMC4zL5huktsxv6ujHJAky8M1sdrqL637pwP_CuxWmXmmyE4UqqgEF7H9tUgXLC1h8/s1600/691a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327332529822845986" border="0" /></a><a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/03/tea-party-whose-wedding-is-it-anyway.html">I told you</a> da MIL was having a good time!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeZ_lP9fqleVGZvF4EzQg_kK_rpfApXuqjY2G8fss-uCBEzuTD7riXvsQfifJJvRwoaoO6Wm58-nH0no-5wDVC9FF36yxrTyasVy0ODc-GO12MbNwXnef4qMuTbw_pB1SrTVdkF4o1bo/s1600-h/677d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeZ_lP9fqleVGZvF4EzQg_kK_rpfApXuqjY2G8fss-uCBEzuTD7riXvsQfifJJvRwoaoO6Wm58-nH0no-5wDVC9FF36yxrTyasVy0ODc-GO12MbNwXnef4qMuTbw_pB1SrTVdkF4o1bo/s1600/677d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327333375638869698" border="0" /></a>This one just cracks me up. Apparently there was a need to direct the dance traffic:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLLZGfpWOK-loCFGetTiyrl_kEjXV5ZC3BJzkkfXTF0vt-Pbth7wYp9giVfthFKy5wDKsBnls73IPIgQZCCozp-XaxP4FP7MoKUoxL1AfG7fhupPY_YvyCBkUwxR2sVRYPv-hfPOo9LA/s1600-h/677f.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLLZGfpWOK-loCFGetTiyrl_kEjXV5ZC3BJzkkfXTF0vt-Pbth7wYp9giVfthFKy5wDKsBnls73IPIgQZCCozp-XaxP4FP7MoKUoxL1AfG7fhupPY_YvyCBkUwxR2sVRYPv-hfPOo9LA/s1600/677f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327332911791307010" border="0" /></a>I'm pretty sure this is the first time I have EVAH seen my parents dance with each other!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulF88WKR4XVm4jL1XD3wQDy6hzeS4S_Tl_9SgLAb3n2n2ZcNv4q1Z26zVmQBxaGRD908ePzAiJR-Z9ckx4fws64Tiq97Kjee6RTA2nCca0fzvcgIIrlHzSjcUoZwLx9izu8D5o1y6YvM/s1600-h/688a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulF88WKR4XVm4jL1XD3wQDy6hzeS4S_Tl_9SgLAb3n2n2ZcNv4q1Z26zVmQBxaGRD908ePzAiJR-Z9ckx4fws64Tiq97Kjee6RTA2nCca0fzvcgIIrlHzSjcUoZwLx9izu8D5o1y6YvM/s1600/688a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327332904700058258" border="0" /></a>And our ring bearer was cutting a rug like it was nobody's business:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwwgXj9_BvyXJY655k16p022r-XAre_cQCedtSgUjinSwH-LE1rRIp8v2njN38kl9xEBal4MI9zEdmFKjSrxysG6mbHGW-Qxl4VUZR4R-yDsvtijZQ6MRN2RezzZt4S9wkizlSVZx0Ck/s1600-h/688b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwwgXj9_BvyXJY655k16p022r-XAre_cQCedtSgUjinSwH-LE1rRIp8v2njN38kl9xEBal4MI9zEdmFKjSrxysG6mbHGW-Qxl4VUZR4R-yDsvtijZQ6MRN2RezzZt4S9wkizlSVZx0Ck/s1600/688b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327332906198802050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XMEbuitzsoLVTEp12sT6Kl3dwh1qB5hOSdVxXVs4-MBTX8MiBsBpcQtmpCyS-X2zt2dBaSs6tk-2pgbeqY5VPYyfFsDQA-tX4SmfYlBeFUyK1zQ2O-H4oeDvdt2NLWlFTiSv-ojXQRg/s1600-h/688c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XMEbuitzsoLVTEp12sT6Kl3dwh1qB5hOSdVxXVs4-MBTX8MiBsBpcQtmpCyS-X2zt2dBaSs6tk-2pgbeqY5VPYyfFsDQA-tX4SmfYlBeFUyK1zQ2O-H4oeDvdt2NLWlFTiSv-ojXQRg/s1600/688c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327332902117073570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oN_8MeP1Z8zRULE6dfWS1W3mjvcvMbnfHHYbL78mRjvSxuuuTREwHQAO5MCVs5JxJLlKlOXZntqdA4IGiZfFv6jKj5HidQTaf_HIadCHqVIY_FwAG1XBARRT_9rvi3nLsrFcfirQDVU/s1600-h/0689.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oN_8MeP1Z8zRULE6dfWS1W3mjvcvMbnfHHYbL78mRjvSxuuuTREwHQAO5MCVs5JxJLlKlOXZntqdA4IGiZfFv6jKj5HidQTaf_HIadCHqVIY_FwAG1XBARRT_9rvi3nLsrFcfirQDVU/s1600/0689.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327332537011400930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Even my super shy little cousin got a piece of the action!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaaX4IiTsmGEFH15o2aqQp6PEG8RGnyuo9wB9pULmvWVYW7Q6ODKx9PHgKKdhR_yGdYB4KzWONkwB1Aci1DB93ibkp-UryByDvCNlQbEqKZe5mkZY2jOlruz-L4X3IRtQo9sMYZ2xMzc/s1600-h/689b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaaX4IiTsmGEFH15o2aqQp6PEG8RGnyuo9wB9pULmvWVYW7Q6ODKx9PHgKKdhR_yGdYB4KzWONkwB1Aci1DB93ibkp-UryByDvCNlQbEqKZe5mkZY2jOlruz-L4X3IRtQo9sMYZ2xMzc/s1600/689b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327332531167668626" border="0" /></a>And I don't gotta tell you what song was playing in these two pics right?<br /></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_RT5qWDANC1f3JqMlKBNBzCW3sdgd1lqGfbQ5FDAJKzvZYPf0ewMYwmIow4g9O5nshCTMGTK1P2LXJxzwYxlzk_znF_i5WPWD-QbcX4emcyTvCRia8tb4iMQpaDwc1sZxq1AW7kH804/s1600-h/677b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_RT5qWDANC1f3JqMlKBNBzCW3sdgd1lqGfbQ5FDAJKzvZYPf0ewMYwmIow4g9O5nshCTMGTK1P2LXJxzwYxlzk_znF_i5WPWD-QbcX4emcyTvCRia8tb4iMQpaDwc1sZxq1AW7kH804/s1600/677b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327333376708205682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMjndAWNOxAmLSme7F7qRNyNR7JNdr5eBZ9Zv1Fw9W4bnL-mpiJDyaKh1Ay8AfvCgRy4bstvhvdxHFJrOqfHDqeuEUIcbpmRa2Jl0zGfpzlcXYg7ziFHuPsM7EFfr1S-H42HQQSEOi1g/s1600-h/677a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMjndAWNOxAmLSme7F7qRNyNR7JNdr5eBZ9Zv1Fw9W4bnL-mpiJDyaKh1Ay8AfvCgRy4bstvhvdxHFJrOqfHDqeuEUIcbpmRa2Jl0zGfpzlcXYg7ziFHuPsM7EFfr1S-H42HQQSEOi1g/s1600/677a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327333381410748098" border="0" /></a><br />I think what makes a hot dance party depends a lot on your crowd. With our small wedding (94 guests) that include folks of all ages and very few dance prone bodies, we did the following with the dance focus in mind:<br /><br />1. We sacrificed our favorite songs. While we obviously stamped our personalities everywhere in the wedding, we left most of it out of the guest dance portion (supplemented by <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/02/tea-party-ba-ba-baaa.html">a very 'us' first dance</a>). I've been to too many weddings where it was obvious that the couple handpicked the reception songs (or paid no attention to the playlist), and very few guests appreciated them. In my wedding attendance during our engagement (10!), I took notes of songs that seemed to always get people to dance and we played mostly those. We got so many compliments on the music selections!<br /><br />2. We paid the MC/DJ. While my stingy behind DIYed and shopped deals like crazy, I knew not to skimp in this department. Dead air, awkward transitions, bad timing... etc. can drop the dance mood like *snap* THIS!<br /><br />3. We kept things centralized. I noticed the venues that break up the reception tables areas (e.g. some in main room, some on patio or the next room) often make 'the other room' guests feel left out of the main event. We picked a venue capable of accommodating all tables in one area adjacent to the dance floor. We also arranged for most happenings at the reception to take place right on the dance floor (even the <a href="http://mycoinpurse.blogspot.com/2009/04/tea-party-chocolatey-goodness.html">chocolate fountain line</a>) so guests don't get distracted or have many reasons to venture off.<br /><br />4. We made sure there was space. I went to a big wedding once where the tiny dance floor was packed. I wanted to get in on the action but there was simply no room! I think from that bride and groom's POV it was a hopping party, not that it wasn't, but the majority of the guests were actually sitting out or leaving early (which we did).<br /><br /><br />Are you having a dance reception? What do you think contributes to one done right?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Images by Travis Hoehne and my friend Rob<br /></span>Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1722599086135060370.post-79707146613392787682009-04-19T19:51:00.000-07:002009-04-19T21:11:56.760-07:00I'll Miss You, Silver Shoes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfF0LhLB2ZfzAIujUYaRz0mwbrnVbfv07QHMGOLpZ2Mq11pckz7wTYJ6JfKjKUJ9-YDqtyvcRZLSCY9aVXAi2VSAwpZEL_naOPj8af8DeJOxj6FWsAqV0dOJV70F7qmE3RSLVsWxQ-4o/s1600-h/work+shoes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfF0LhLB2ZfzAIujUYaRz0mwbrnVbfv07QHMGOLpZ2Mq11pckz7wTYJ6JfKjKUJ9-YDqtyvcRZLSCY9aVXAi2VSAwpZEL_naOPj8af8DeJOxj6FWsAqV0dOJV70F7qmE3RSLVsWxQ-4o/s1600/work+shoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326600979846710642" border="0" /></a>Off the office carpet and onto the dirt road I go as my summer field assignment begins tomorrow. It has been a stressful week prepping for it since I gotta move out there. I'm looking forward to the experience but I'm sad to be away from da hubs and da haus.<br /><br />I'll hopefully be blogging from my hotel room for the next couple of weeks. Argh, I hate living out of a suitcase.Dubbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349394209890946701noreply@blogger.com2