tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079678977124017252024-03-13T13:14:38.339-04:00Tranquility SpotTranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.comBlogger543125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-36980981494172207942012-08-04T23:33:00.000-04:002012-08-04T23:33:34.218-04:00DIY Chalk Play Table<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2otR2B3Sj8/UB3fudPqwFI/AAAAAAAAFpg/amT4_6C5fZA/s1600/blueKidTable_after7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2otR2B3Sj8/UB3fudPqwFI/AAAAAAAAFpg/amT4_6C5fZA/s320/blueKidTable_after7.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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Surprised little caterpillar with this fun little blue table the other day, she was so excited. Last Xmas, I made her a little black board, and she played with it all the time, actually she really enjoyed making a mess and wiping it clean. I still have most of the chalk paint, have been looking for ways to use it. Then I remembered this little blue table I found on the side of the road. It's just a simple, cheap blue table, with metal legs and platic top. Nothing really wrong about it, just looked sad. Forgot to take a before picture, but you get what it looked like from this underside.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KTqog1mw88A/UB3f0mvZVEI/AAAAAAAAFpo/WcfQ00bcDs4/s1600/blueKidTable_before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KTqog1mw88A/UB3f0mvZVEI/AAAAAAAAFpo/WcfQ00bcDs4/s320/blueKidTable_before.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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I just spray painted the legs and the edge of the top, primed the top two coats, then painted it with the chalk paint three coats. This is how it looked when I was done with it.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PDDGJa-0jEQ/UB3f3E4y_3I/AAAAAAAAFpw/UpysTY1thhE/s1600/blueKidTable_after1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PDDGJa-0jEQ/UB3f3E4y_3I/AAAAAAAAFpw/UpysTY1thhE/s320/blueKidTable_after1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Now bring out the chalks and have some fun with it. Drew some roads on it,<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IglmNcmABDo/UB3f830RAoI/AAAAAAAAFp4/xqjzTIFEBDc/s1600/blueKidTable_after3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IglmNcmABDo/UB3f830RAoI/AAAAAAAAFp4/xqjzTIFEBDc/s320/blueKidTable_after3.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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put some little cars along the road, (Can you tell that mommy loves wooden toys?)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjcxOIaoD60/UB3gLrLrWPI/AAAAAAAAFqE/GZE1jIMB_2M/s1600/blueKidTable_after4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjcxOIaoD60/UB3gLrLrWPI/AAAAAAAAFqE/GZE1jIMB_2M/s320/blueKidTable_after4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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How cute is this?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fY_8XEwLkUE/UB3gQo84mLI/AAAAAAAAFqM/vftvpJmZ1R0/s1600/blueKidTable_after5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fY_8XEwLkUE/UB3gQo84mLI/AAAAAAAAFqM/vftvpJmZ1R0/s320/blueKidTable_after5.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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Look, it matches all the other blue funiture in the living/play room. In case you didn't see it, the inside of the toy shelves is blue too. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X53idnCi4cs/UB3gR3HuWGI/AAAAAAAAFqU/NV6tVpSyB4w/s1600/blueKidTable_after7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X53idnCi4cs/UB3gR3HuWGI/AAAAAAAAFqU/NV6tVpSyB4w/s320/blueKidTable_after7.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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Oh, not just cars and roads, we have an airport in the center too. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQgt5gxV4es/UB3gW75iiyI/AAAAAAAAFqc/k-ih6kv1OHM/s1600/blueKidTable_after8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQgt5gxV4es/UB3gW75iiyI/AAAAAAAAFqc/k-ih6kv1OHM/s320/blueKidTable_after8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then wipe off the roads, drew some lines, it just became a little writing table. Now little caterpillar can practice her ABCs without wasting any paper. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UwfeoogPOdA/UB3gYvm6zkI/AAAAAAAAFqk/I4FZjP7Ei6s/s1600/blueKidTable_after10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UwfeoogPOdA/UB3gYvm6zkI/AAAAAAAAFqk/I4FZjP7Ei6s/s320/blueKidTable_after10.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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Hmm, what wlse can we do with it? Whatever we can do with regular blackboard and play table. Now what else can I paint with this chalk paint?TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-56062851946801095912012-06-26T23:14:00.002-04:002012-06-26T23:14:38.179-04:00Tutorial - How to Make A Family Tree Art With Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDzAiguQB5Y/T-p5VrtZbBI/AAAAAAAAFpU/WB004W25jSA/s1600/familyTree-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDzAiguQB5Y/T-p5VrtZbBI/AAAAAAAAFpU/WB004W25jSA/s320/familyTree-7.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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Finally finished the Father's Day gift for Stubborn. We just recently had our second child, then Stubborn's dad passed away two days before Father's Day. We all thought he is finally free. He had a very bad stroke 5 years ago, and has been in coma ever since. Last year, we went back to visit him with little Caterpillar, we all thought he could hear us. Maybe he was not satisfied with a granddaughter, so secretly wished for a grandson. Anyway, we got preganant right after we came back, and had little JJ. Stubborn took JJ's picture back to him last month, and we Skyped a lot. Guess he was finally satisfied, with a grandson who can carry the family name, he just gave up. He passed away just 2 weeks after Stubborn came back. Anyway, this gave me a great idea for Father's Day gift. I made a family tree art for Stubborn's office, with photos of family members and names. He didn't say much, but I know he loves it. <br />
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Here is how I did it. I looked around the web to find a tree shape that I liked, and drew it on the back of a piece of scrapebook paper. I liked the gray and yellow color theme of the inspiration picture, so I sticked with it. Forgot to take a picture before cutting the tree out, but you get the idea.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yE53rZemCnY/T-p5Pe3fc8I/AAAAAAAAFok/-MsUnMlyuZg/s1600/familyTree-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yE53rZemCnY/T-p5Pe3fc8I/AAAAAAAAFok/-MsUnMlyuZg/s320/familyTree-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cut out the tree and all the leaves with scissors or knife. You don't have to be exact with leaves, you are going to use the other side, so the pencil marks won't show. But with your tree, you should drew the branches thicker than they will be and cut inside the lines. And don't worry too much if you accidently break a branch, you are going to glue everything on a background paper, so it won't show. This is what left after cutting out the branches, I am going to use this for a scrapbook page, so it won't go to waste at all. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JLjMLCX4hQM/T-p5RLlsJXI/AAAAAAAAFos/jNwmPocFX2k/s1600/familyTree-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JLjMLCX4hQM/T-p5RLlsJXI/AAAAAAAAFos/jNwmPocFX2k/s320/familyTree-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Glue the tree to the background paper of your choice, then place the leaves where you like.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uu66WZnbIk/T-p5SCthv9I/AAAAAAAAFo0/OmtdljWg7Xw/s1600/familyTree-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uu66WZnbIk/T-p5SCthv9I/AAAAAAAAFo0/OmtdljWg7Xw/s320/familyTree-3.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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Pick out portraits of family members and print them out. What I did was copy paste the headshots into one picture, print and cut them out. I printed 12 (3 by 4) pictures on a 4 by 6 picture, you can size them base on the size of your finished art and how many family members you want to include. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOX27tUJ-DM/T-p5SyFWZKI/AAAAAAAAFo8/ev5K009aNw8/s1600/familyTree-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOX27tUJ-DM/T-p5SyFWZKI/AAAAAAAAFo8/ev5K009aNw8/s320/familyTree-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Glue the headshots on another piece of scrapbook paper, cut them out, leaving some space of the bottom for names. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otrpBYuDp3Y/T-p5T2LynnI/AAAAAAAAFpE/6RJSd5s89ns/s1600/familyTree-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otrpBYuDp3Y/T-p5T2LynnI/AAAAAAAAFpE/6RJSd5s89ns/s320/familyTree-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Glue the pictures to the tree. I put greatgrandpa, grandpa, daddy and JJ on the main trunk of the tree following that order, so that's the main stream of the family who carrys the family name from generation to generation. In our culture, only male family members got included in the family tree, but I wanted to include all the people Stubborn loves. So I included his great aunt, his aunt, and his mother's side of the family (on a side branch). Of course I have to include our little Caterpiller, she probably is the person he loves the most in this world.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iHSH581GiPU/T-p5UhsYk2I/AAAAAAAAFpM/QiWk6qZeGBc/s1600/familyTree-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iHSH581GiPU/T-p5UhsYk2I/AAAAAAAAFpM/QiWk6qZeGBc/s320/familyTree-6.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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Finally put everything together. <br />
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I just love to make these special gifts for my family. I framed antique lock pieces from Stubborn's grandma's wedding luggage, and made a photo collage of daddy daugher moments in the past. I refinished a table set for little Caterpillar's 2nd birthday, and have some great ideas for this year. Even though I don't say it out loud all the time, I do love this man and our little family.<br />
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<br />TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-31970075895515323082012-06-06T15:38:00.000-04:002012-06-06T15:38:00.106-04:00Scrap Sewing Projects II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0oKiiwfXbwg/T85XnVAY5ZI/AAAAAAAAFlE/E7jFUAWk7_0/s1600/greenOwlDress_after-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0oKiiwfXbwg/T85XnVAY5ZI/AAAAAAAAFlE/E7jFUAWk7_0/s400/greenOwlDress_after-1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Isn't this baby cute? A whole dress costed me about $4! I went to Joann the other day looking for some velco tapes. Seeing their remnant shelves were so full, I just could not pass it by. I said here before that I would not buy new fabric until I use up most of my stash. But these two just were too cute. Look at them, it's like someone put them there on purpose. Sorry I forgot to take the before pic, the shirred fabric was already cut.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vT6QNStZSlo/T85XeLScpUI/AAAAAAAAFkc/dwS1i38iFj0/s1600/greenOwlDress_before-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vT6QNStZSlo/T85XeLScpUI/AAAAAAAAFkc/dwS1i38iFj0/s320/greenOwlDress_before-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Look at these tiny owls! Aren't they the cutest thing ever? They are only about the size of a pea. </div>
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I knew there was only 1/4 yard of that green shirred fabric, but it was way smaller than I imagined. Lucky it's wide enough, and little caterpillar is still young. So, I cut it in half, it's the perfect height then. One side of the ruffle is longer than the other side, so I cut off the extra, and hem it again, so the two pieces became identical. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o77PsGeS-Ho/T85XhSg-sdI/AAAAAAAAFks/E4TNMHpr4W4/s1600/greenOwlDress_before-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o77PsGeS-Ho/T85XhSg-sdI/AAAAAAAAFks/E4TNMHpr4W4/s320/greenOwlDress_before-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the cut pieces. I was so lucky, had enough fabric for the dress, and barely enough for a hat brim. Look at the next picture, that's all it was left. Maybe enough to cover some buttons. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wK1kXgnmI3I/T85XiuEkvpI/AAAAAAAAFk0/Frb-6CYfYS8/s1600/greenOwlDress_before-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wK1kXgnmI3I/T85XiuEkvpI/AAAAAAAAFk0/Frb-6CYfYS8/s320/greenOwlDress_before-4.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVwtuapSht4/T85Xk_GS3mI/AAAAAAAAFk8/wTA85qvv_ZA/s1600/greenOwlDress_before-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVwtuapSht4/T85Xk_GS3mI/AAAAAAAAFk8/wTA85qvv_ZA/s320/greenOwlDress_before-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Again, here is the finished dress. The way I designed it, it can be wore 3 different ways. I made it quite big, it was meant for next year. Little caterpillar already has more than 20 dresses this year.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0oKiiwfXbwg/T85XnVAY5ZI/AAAAAAAAFlE/E7jFUAWk7_0/s1600/greenOwlDress_after-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0oKiiwfXbwg/T85XnVAY5ZI/AAAAAAAAFlE/E7jFUAWk7_0/s400/greenOwlDress_after-1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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When she is younger, the straps will be long enough to tie up right in front. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7YWR-S-t9g/T85XrZmc2FI/AAAAAAAAFlY/9pWD34P_WZw/s1600/greenOwlDress_after-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7YWR-S-t9g/T85XrZmc2FI/AAAAAAAAFlY/9pWD34P_WZw/s320/greenOwlDress_after-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She can also tie a couple of knots in each strap and let the tips hanging freely. The knots will hold the straps in place, and can be tied at any length, so this dress is very versatile.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ew5d9E7rDjU/T85Xpte3t8I/AAAAAAAAFlM/H2ihWDYfkrI/s1600/greenOwlDress_after-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ew5d9E7rDjU/T85Xpte3t8I/AAAAAAAAFlM/H2ihWDYfkrI/s320/greenOwlDress_after-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Since the front and back are exact same, she can also wear it as a Halter dress, tie the straps in the back. But that will be a couple of years from now. She pulls her other halter dress down to waist now. Not very safe.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Py-1yLem9js/T85XtNrbG5I/AAAAAAAAFlg/t6-od9JSGN4/s1600/greenOwlDress_after-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Py-1yLem9js/T85XtNrbG5I/AAAAAAAAFlg/t6-od9JSGN4/s320/greenOwlDress_after-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What's the verdict? "It's very cute. I LOVE IT!" "It's too big mommy!" Oh, honey, I know. I love it too. I really paid attention to the details this time, as this is the first dress I made for her from scretch. I serged all raw edges, really put my new serger to good use this time.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDB4jRNJtQQ/T85X2bfJh9I/AAAAAAAAFmA/tYct0mn_E4I/s1600/greenOwlDress_after-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDB4jRNJtQQ/T85X2bfJh9I/AAAAAAAAFmA/tYct0mn_E4I/s320/greenOwlDress_after-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I double stitched most of places.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz8JK1enYWY/T85XwJ0oEYI/AAAAAAAAFlw/0vsGPxEdLIw/s1600/greenOwlDress_after-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz8JK1enYWY/T85XwJ0oEYI/AAAAAAAAFlw/0vsGPxEdLIw/s320/greenOwlDress_after-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I even added a little piece of ribbon to the side. Little caterpillar was very excited to find a hello kitty there. Stubborn even said it looks like store bought. Yay! Approval from both of them!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90iXcQOzETU/T85X0xC9pDI/AAAAAAAAFl4/sKolMlJXwsA/s1600/greenOwlDress_after-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90iXcQOzETU/T85X0xC9pDI/AAAAAAAAFl4/sKolMlJXwsA/s320/greenOwlDress_after-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What's next? I am working on a reversable bucket hat with the tiny left over pieces, so little caterpillar can wear this dress with a matching hat. Will show you the hat when it's done. Just need to go to Joann again for some interfacing. Who knows, I might find more cute fabric. </div>
<br />TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-21659347760498044832012-06-05T11:49:00.002-04:002012-06-05T20:35:56.119-04:00Scrap Sewing Projets I<br />
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What to do when you have an extra sleeping bag or comforter, but no place to store it? Make a pillow out of it and put it in plain sight.</div>
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Stubborn just came back from China, and a family friend gave little JJ a sleeping bag. It's those very thick one meant for winter, but now is almost summer. </div>
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I could just put it into a box in the attic, but I was digging for some fabric scraps for another project, and found this already finished pillow cover. I made it for little JJ's crib, it was made from a piece of very small scrap. I didn't have time to make the pillow filling for it. Then it hit me. WHY DON'T I PUT THE SLEEPING BAG IN THIS?<br />
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Hey, it fits! Looks like I made this pillow cover just for it, isn't it? I got lucky there. </div>
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And it fits in the Nautical theme perfectly! Do you see the lighthouse art on the wall, and the homemade boats mobile? There are more nautical decoration coming. This boyish sleeping corner in our pink master bedroom is almost complete. </div>
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At 16 lbs, this little piglet almost doubled his birth weight in just two months. His weight and height now are about the same as little caterpillar's, when she was 6 month old. I must have done something right. Look at those rolls!</div>
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I actually started the monthly portrait project as planned. Just didn't have time to post it last month. So here are the two of them together. Sorry you cannot see his face, it's Stubborn's privacy rule. But aren't this fake sunglasses stylish?</div>TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-17322873378845683002012-05-29T12:42:00.000-04:002012-06-06T11:14:21.399-04:00Garden Updates<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmH0glAXUyM/T84rf06OA5I/AAAAAAAAFhU/PZz86N74os8/s1600/1872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmH0glAXUyM/T84rf06OA5I/AAAAAAAAFhU/PZz86N74os8/s400/1872.jpg" width="273" /></a><br />
Unofficially in New England area, Memorial Day is the beginning of summer. So what is happening in my garden right now in early summer?
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Lots of yummy Strawberries</div>
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We have been picking a bowl of delicious strawberries everyday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H-7pEH2TkCs/T842pfWovBI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/q5YMN2iHwx0/s1600/1873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H-7pEH2TkCs/T842pfWovBI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/q5YMN2iHwx0/s400/1873.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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My Peony "Gardenia" finally opened up. We have been checking the buds daily for a couple of weeks.</div>
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Love the amazing colors and details of these Iris.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jU1QVKkFROY/T84usyw37zI/AAAAAAAAFiU/XpxHyL-DUTw/s1600/1853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jU1QVKkFROY/T84usyw37zI/AAAAAAAAFiU/XpxHyL-DUTw/s400/1853.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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My Chinese Dogwood "Wolf's Eyes" is blooming as well. Although the color of the flower is almost the same as the leaves, so you can only see them up close. But they are truely beautiful.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NYCdpfCbac/T84utmPrypI/AAAAAAAAFis/K1gheQXHYTw/s1600/1820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NYCdpfCbac/T84utmPrypI/AAAAAAAAFis/K1gheQXHYTw/s400/1820.jpg" width="264" /></a>
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I grew these Columbine from seeds years ago. You gotta love these amazing flowers, they are so elegant and can survive almost all light conditions. I have them in full sun, partial shade, and full shade, and they are all doing great.
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I have 3 types of hostas in the garden. Right now all the leaves are out and the plants reached their full size. No flowers yet. This first one self seeds every year. I read the babies will only show their true colors after 3 years. Most hostas are hybrids, so their babies can look like any ancestors. So far I only got the green babies, no blue ones.
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This miniature one was gift from my friend AK. It's so small, I worried it will disappear in the garden. So I planted it in a bottomless pot. It has multiplied over the years like all hostas do. AK said it's quite rare and valuable.<br />
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These guys makes me so happy. The green and white are so sharp and bright, they make me happy every time.
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My lilies and daylilies are almost ready to bloom, so does my purple cone flowers. More beautiful pictures coming soon. Hope you are enjoying your garden too.</div>TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-86377214847603504822012-04-18T09:53:00.000-04:002012-06-06T11:14:50.839-04:00Garden UpdateLots of plants have been blooming in the yard, but because of our culture, I am not supposed to get outside in the first month. As my strength coming back more and more everyday, and the weather being record warm (hot, 87F yesterday), I cannot control myself any more. I sneaked out and took some pictures. <br />
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<br />TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-19856514845699791242012-04-16T06:12:00.006-04:002012-04-16T11:23:23.341-04:00Recover HighchairHere is the before and after.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmYMmnOfsRo/T4w4vtC5lZI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/eiTAMZGBYF0/s1600/highChair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 206px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmYMmnOfsRo/T4w4vtC5lZI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/eiTAMZGBYF0/s400/highChair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732018817932563858" /></a><br /><br />And here is the story. I found some really inspiring blog postings a couple of years ago. Nicole from <a href="http://makingitlovely.com">Making It Lovely</a> made 24 pins for her baby girl Eleanor's <a href="http://makingitlovely.com/eleanors-monthly-photo/ ">monthly photo series</a>. And she is doing it again for her son August. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hg0f3b-i-MA/T4wVZziYtFI/AAAAAAAAFd4/ylaZKOLGkIs/s1600/August-firstyear1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 183px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hg0f3b-i-MA/T4wVZziYtFI/AAAAAAAAFd4/ylaZKOLGkIs/s400/August-firstyear1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731979958811145298" /></a>It is such a wonderful way to document how your child grows in the first two years. Well, I found it too late to start the same series for little Caterpillar, but I love this idea so much, I just have to do it for JJ, even though it might come cross as "mommy loving JJ more". No, I love both my kids, and I like girls more than boys. OK, Nicole used her Eames rocker as background. What should I use? We don't have a nice chair or rocker like that, and there is no place in the house or in our budget for a new beautiful chair. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaXs1ljvJLo/T4wVaECCn9I/AAAAAAAAFeE/GoVRlM6zNeU/s1600/clara.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaXs1ljvJLo/T4wVaECCn9I/AAAAAAAAFeE/GoVRlM6zNeU/s400/clara.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731979963238883282" /></a>Then I saw <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/2012/04/2-months.html">this post</a> on <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com">MADE</a>. Dana is taking monthly picture of her new baby Clara in a white highchair, very modern and clean line. Hmm, that might work. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3Kh6zFAHLQ/T4w5M7Fv6YI/AAAAAAAAFew/ZgtkBSWvhLo/s1600/highChair-before2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3Kh6zFAHLQ/T4w5M7Fv6YI/AAAAAAAAFew/ZgtkBSWvhLo/s400/highChair-before2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732019319918815618" /></a>I inherited this highchair from my best friend last year, before they moved back to China. It has been in the basement ever since. I cleaned it thoroughly, and washed the cover, but still cannot remove lots of the stains. I need a better background for my JJ, so after digging in my stash, I found the perfect piece of remnant (about 1/4 yard of fabric). Using the original cover as template, and an hour later, I made a double sided new cover. Ta-dah! What do you think? I love it! I might make another one in solid color, but for now, I like the blue and red and white! Floral design for a boy? Why not?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-puJa2Yo19vs/T4w5Me340DI/AAAAAAAAFeo/xxpovtJvnlA/s1600/highChair-after2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-puJa2Yo19vs/T4w5Me340DI/AAAAAAAAFeo/xxpovtJvnlA/s400/highChair-after2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732019312344485938" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLTce-ufmrU/T4w5Kh41muI/AAAAAAAAFec/ZKV3zIWgcFs/s1600/highChair-after3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLTce-ufmrU/T4w5Kh41muI/AAAAAAAAFec/ZKV3zIWgcFs/s400/highChair-after3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732019278794037986" /></a>TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-2305308808191134092012-04-15T21:34:00.005-04:002012-04-15T22:30:05.506-04:00Back As Mom Of TwoSorry for disappearing for so long. I got a very good reason.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gvDzGpA1O88/T4t5CNn4XuI/AAAAAAAAFds/0tBSbBElzQA/s1600/0621.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gvDzGpA1O88/T4t5CNn4XuI/AAAAAAAAFds/0tBSbBElzQA/s400/0621.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731808029682720482" /></a><br />Well, I was too tired at the end of pregnancy, then got even more tired after he was born. Better late than never. Here is our son, JJ, born about a month ago. I was crazy enough to do that much yardwork, after 5 months bedrest. I blamed that on the warm weather and spring fever. Anyway, I didn't notice my water was broke, which caused infection in both of us. Poor JJ had to stay in NICU for 10 days! Now we are both healthy and adjusted to the new life, and I am almost out of the traditional first month rest period, I can start working on my to do list! Tomorrow I will share with you my first sewing project after JJ was born.<br /><br />PS. Just tried another trick to displine little caterpillar, and was surprised it worked really well. I calmly told her to pick up all the toys and books and clothes off the floor and put them away, otherwise I will give them away. After repeating this new rule 3 times, she finally got it, and quickly cleaned up the entire the second floor! And I used the same trick made her go to bed before 9pm! She can run around till 11pm normally. I just simply threatened to take away her favorite dress! Haha, why didn't I try this earlier? Maybe it's wrong to threaten your child, but after taking care of an infant all day and night, I just don't have the energy and patiency to fight with her. Let's see how long this trick can last.TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-27155897206196503812012-02-06T10:40:00.011-05:002012-02-06T11:25:43.191-05:00Big Sis With Baby BumpNow Chinese New Year is over, and we are all feeling a little bit better (all 3 of us coughed up storms every night for a week), I can go through some pictures and show you how sweet it was. We took these pictures on Chinese New Years Eve. It was rare for Stubborn to offer taking picture of me. How sweet! And I got the greatest memory in pictures, how my little caterpillar loves her baby brother already. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyVyG1XSY5Q/Ty_6bWaJykI/AAAAAAAAFc0/ui6I3LPIJDI/s1600/0120-blur.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyVyG1XSY5Q/Ty_6bWaJykI/AAAAAAAAFc0/ui6I3LPIJDI/s400/0120-blur.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706054600680393282" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Et5oEmpc1Rs/Ty_6bCBg3qI/AAAAAAAAFck/VhdhfgMlHpI/s1600/0132-blur.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Et5oEmpc1Rs/Ty_6bCBg3qI/AAAAAAAAFck/VhdhfgMlHpI/s400/0132-blur.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706054595208339106" /></a><br /><br />And here are some new pictures of my orchids. They cheer me up everyday, especially now when I feel so sick and think I can break my ribs anytime I cough! And I lost my voice because of all these coughing. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huTjvRIU3Hk/Ty_9AFCfhdI/AAAAAAAAFdg/vH2NZ1g2qNw/s1600/0206.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huTjvRIU3Hk/Ty_9AFCfhdI/AAAAAAAAFdg/vH2NZ1g2qNw/s400/0206.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706057430696166866" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73Lk2rLX5bM/Ty_8_daGVJI/AAAAAAAAFdU/BZ9OIfx2lx0/s1600/0207.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73Lk2rLX5bM/Ty_8_daGVJI/AAAAAAAAFdU/BZ9OIfx2lx0/s400/0207.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706057420057760914" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5zt7eY9OlY/Ty_8_C4oLrI/AAAAAAAAFdE/nDSV9cmETWk/s1600/0208.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5zt7eY9OlY/Ty_8_C4oLrI/AAAAAAAAFdE/nDSV9cmETWk/s400/0208.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706057412938051250" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3IgSMnngls/Ty_8-1HtCII/AAAAAAAAFc8/CuWJw_ocUbM/s1600/0211.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3IgSMnngls/Ty_8-1HtCII/AAAAAAAAFc8/CuWJw_ocUbM/s400/0211.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706057409243187330" /></a><br /><br />Chinese or not, hope you had a wonderful January. Now the weather is warming up, soon it will be spring cleaning time. Cannot wait to meet this little boy, and get my energy back. I will become a stay home mom after he comes out, so many things already been added to the to-do list. Cannot wait to finally clean up and get the whole house organized again.TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-88096090639326788642012-01-25T13:29:00.005-05:002012-01-25T13:48:08.912-05:00Cute Fish PurseThe day I saw this amazing <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/12/fabric-fishy-purse-pattern-pieces-included.html">fish purse</a>, I knew I will make it one day. When Chinese New Year approaching, I needed to make a gift for a friend's granddaughter. She was adopted in China when she was a baby, now she is the love of the family and very healthy happy young lady (7yr old). I thought a cute fish purse is the perfect gift. Fish in Chinese culture is a wonderful symbol, especially around new year time, it represents abundant wealth and fortune and bless the family. What do you think of my version?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhEe4k5bRwg/TyBLwtOp9eI/AAAAAAAAFcA/S-pPwDN8EiA/s1600/0065.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhEe4k5bRwg/TyBLwtOp9eI/AAAAAAAAFcA/S-pPwDN8EiA/s400/0065.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701640428397917666" /></a><br />I just got a phone call from my friend the other day, and said her grand daughter loves the purse so much, asked whether she could bring it to school the next day! That totally made my day! What a wonderful way to use some of the small scraps! I didn't show it to little Caterpillar and Stubborn, knowing they would love it too much and won't let me mail it out. Now I know how it goes, I will make a smaller, yet even cuter one for my girl. Probably use some of my nice Chinese fabric. <br /><br />I said before that I am in full nesting mood now. A couple of weeks ago, I brought out little Caterpillar's carseat, and decided to make a boyish cover for it. It was all pink and brown, very girly. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5XLVXUFBEqk/TyBNLsmjR4I/AAAAAAAAFcM/3g6eh7-q5Q0/s1600/0089.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5XLVXUFBEqk/TyBNLsmjR4I/AAAAAAAAFcM/3g6eh7-q5Q0/s400/0089.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701641991597803394" /></a>So I got some sample fabric pieces from my stash, and made this simple cover. Finally I finished the edge with bias tape, and sewed the openings for the harnesses. Doesn't it look cute for a baby boy?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rRgezS3upec/TyBNLzZmUZI/AAAAAAAAFcc/14WhKaI1TLo/s1600/0088.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rRgezS3upec/TyBNLzZmUZI/AAAAAAAAFcc/14WhKaI1TLo/s400/0088.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701641993422524818" /></a>TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-62734156122786399812012-01-23T09:10:00.006-05:002012-01-23T10:02:26.398-05:00Happy Chinese New Year!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDqfORQ3g20/Tx1qiPN7-UI/AAAAAAAAFaI/BE2CvemtqVc/s1600/dragon.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 303px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDqfORQ3g20/Tx1qiPN7-UI/AAAAAAAAFaI/BE2CvemtqVc/s400/dragon.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700829839754000706" /></a>Happy Dragon Year to all of you! Yay! I kept my baby inside long enough and he is actually a dragon now! =)<br /><br />Even though I am on bedrest, I couldn't hold the urge to celebrate this most important Chinese holiday the traditional way. Well, I cannot really clean the house inside out, but I could do the laundry (even though I am not supposed to, according to my OB). Man, why did I let them sit for a week? I had to wash 3 big bags while cooking. Too much! But I really cannot let the dirty laundry gets to a brand new year. Traditionally, new year's eve dinner is the biggest. Family gathers together, eat delicious food and watch the parties on TV, and enjoy the fireworks around midnight. We normally have at least 4 cold dishes, 4 warm dishes, and dumplings. And we have to have fish, which represents abundant wealth in the coming year. My mom and my aunt normally cook some shrimps, slow cooked pork, fish and lots of different vegetable dishes. Sooooo good! <br /><br />Well, I don't have enough energy to cook that much, and we didn't invite any friends over. So this is what I came up with after 4 hours hard work in the kitchen. Oh, don't worry, those are not wine, just some cranberry juice. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYBcHg6XPXo/Tx1xIEDN1zI/AAAAAAAAFaU/NVsFUZsW3sQ/s1600/0176.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYBcHg6XPXo/Tx1xIEDN1zI/AAAAAAAAFaU/NVsFUZsW3sQ/s400/0176.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700837086661039922" /></a>Here are the cold dishes. These are just store bought smoked saugages, sliced and arranged nicely. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVepL-QUcY0/Tx1xtxseilI/AAAAAAAAFa4/LCiVVsdGVl4/s1600/0181.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVepL-QUcY0/Tx1xtxseilI/AAAAAAAAFa4/LCiVVsdGVl4/s400/0181.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700837734568856146" /></a>Pan roasted peanuts<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzeYHYIvA4A/Tx1xtqx6DSI/AAAAAAAAFao/AWkbP9AKyWQ/s1600/0184.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzeYHYIvA4A/Tx1xtqx6DSI/AAAAAAAAFao/AWkbP9AKyWQ/s400/0184.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700837732712582434" /></a>Thousand year eggs and hardboiled eggs (slow cooked with soy sauce, tea leaves and other seasonings). I appologize for this mess. This is what happens when you have a toddler helping you set up the table! At least she loved the tealeaf eggs. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uDwpiGwy9IU/Tx1xtQhClyI/AAAAAAAAFag/SDd3wKlZzKw/s1600/0185.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uDwpiGwy9IU/Tx1xtQhClyI/AAAAAAAAFag/SDd3wKlZzKw/s400/0185.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700837725662517026" /></a><br />Here are the hot dishes. To cut the stress down, I baked the baby back ribs the day before, and started preparing dumplings in the early afternoon. Don't these ribs look delicious? My friend came up with this recipe, and everyone loves it, now we all cook it. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UEBvPhA_mZs/Tx1zm9bV20I/AAAAAAAAFbo/oHvBEzLcCfE/s1600/0178.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UEBvPhA_mZs/Tx1zm9bV20I/AAAAAAAAFbo/oHvBEzLcCfE/s400/0178.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700839816482380610" /></a>This flunder came out surprisingly good. I used the marinating sauce for the ribs instead of soy sauce. It has more flavor and the fish is not overcooked and kept its shape. Yeah!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DZzzGaBZsfA/Tx1zmIgS0RI/AAAAAAAAFbg/gsUHPFoGXtw/s1600/0180.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DZzzGaBZsfA/Tx1zmIgS0RI/AAAAAAAAFbg/gsUHPFoGXtw/s400/0180.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700839802276073746" /></a>Here is just some simple stirfried vegetable. Not my favorite, but Stubborn loves it! Isn't that the point? To feed and satisfy your family?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPZBHqDAja8/Tx1zl5-pAuI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/s4WsIDhiid0/s1600/0183.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPZBHqDAja8/Tx1zl5-pAuI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/s4WsIDhiid0/s400/0183.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700839798376825570" /></a>And here are the dumplings. For the new year, I made them from scratch. Lots of great stuffs in there, Chinese cabbage, green scallion, ground pork, shrimp, eggs, smoked mushrooms, with soy sauces, five spices, and sesame oil. I made the skins too, they don't look that good, but so delicious! I put so much energy in them, so imagine how sad I was when little caterpillar won't even try them! Well, what can I do? She is a very stubborn toddler. At least she loved the ribs and fish. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5mNAMl76AQ/Tx1zjPuTMoI/AAAAAAAAFbE/UfcFfwinyPs/s1600/0182.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5mNAMl76AQ/Tx1zjPuTMoI/AAAAAAAAFbE/UfcFfwinyPs/s400/0182.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700839752674259586" /></a><br />And here is a pic of my little girl with mommy! Such a rare oppotunity, Stubborn offered to take a picture of us. Sorry I cannot show you the faces. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-spd0M0yqOgw/Tx12FKU9Q2I/AAAAAAAAFb0/ABL1QN5ZpPI/s1600/0190-blur.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-spd0M0yqOgw/Tx12FKU9Q2I/AAAAAAAAFb0/ABL1QN5ZpPI/s400/0190-blur.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700842534364595042" /></a><br />Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, holiday or not. And hope you all enjoyed your dinner like we did. Wish you didn't have to cook as much. I was exhausted! But it all worth it!TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-87333099640546674842012-01-20T11:51:00.003-05:002012-01-20T12:04:40.925-05:00Everyone Is OKWe had to go to hospital last night. My baby boy normally is a very active and great kicker, so when he didn't kick much for 24 hours, we freaked out! He normally kicks happy and hard when I wake up, after every meal, and when I lie on my side. But he didn't kick until 2pm, after hours of me walking around, petting him, talking to him, drinking lots of cold juice, etc. Even when he finally kicked, he only kicked less than 2 minutes, then hours of quiet again! Finally I couldn't take it any more, and called the hospital after dinner. We had to wake up little caterpillar to drive to Boston, she was such a good sport, didn't cry, just jumped up and happy to "go out". Well, what you know, as soon as they put the monitors on my belly, he started kicking! WHAT?! It turned out he did a 180 on me, totally changed his position. Maybe he was tired from that, or he was kicking different spots which are less sensitive. I was so relieved to hear his heart beats and see him happy as a clam on the ultrasound. I even saw him practicing breathing. What a good boy! Even though you made all of us worry and went to hospital for nothing, we are all so glad you are ok. Oh, did I mention it was snowing very hard when we left the hospital? Stubborn drove so carefully. Lucky I didn't insist to drive to hospital by myself. He is a much better driver in these stormy situation. We couldn't even see beyond 50 yards on highway. Everyone was driving in single line, since the highway was cleaned up yet, we could barely see the marks on the ground. Anyway, we are all safe and happy, and life back to normal again. Hopefully he will stop scarying mommy and daddy again.TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-23573770997562386712012-01-19T12:55:00.003-05:002012-01-19T13:05:21.423-05:00Wonderful Tutorial<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvAKSxXjZWI/Txha4-xX0AI/AAAAAAAAFZ8/2PgNqwf3dGg/s1600/bias11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvAKSxXjZWI/Txha4-xX0AI/AAAAAAAAFZ8/2PgNqwf3dGg/s400/bias11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699405263406616578" /></a><br />Found this wonderful <a href="http://thedillspiel.blogspot.com/2012/01/every-time-my-mom-comes-to-visit-i.html">Continuous Bias Tape tutorial</a> on <a href="http://thedillspiel.blogspot.com/">No Big Dill</a> today. This lady is absolutely genius and classically stylish. Just love her and all her beautiful girls and that precious new baby boy. OK, back to the topic. I made my own bias tapes most of the times, but they are not really bias, since I didn't want to waste any fabric. While when your tape is not really on bias, it's hard to turn corner. I will definitely try this technique and make tons of colorful bias tapes. Too bad I don't have the machine she used, guess I just have to stand in front of the ironing board and slowly iron them with my manual tools. Well, that machine will be on my next birthday wish list.TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-23626430570842001462012-01-15T22:30:00.002-05:002012-01-15T23:10:13.458-05:00Pregnancy Glucose Tolerance Test Side EffectHad my 1 hour glucose tolerance test lasf Friday. It was a new one, I didn't need to fast! Had early lunch and went for the test and my OB visit. I felt completely normally after the test, even spent a couple of hours chatting with co-workers and friends at the office. The drive back home was very slow, but I thought I was just tired. But the next morning when I woke up, I felt like crap. I noticed some of my joints started getting painful, I had that with little Caterpillar too. But Sat morning, the pain in my hips area was almost unbelievable! And I felt nauseated, exhausted, headache, and depressed! As a matter of fact, I cried so hard thoughout the whole day! Stubborn didn't get it at first, but then I told him I got so worried that our baby boy might come out too early! At only 30wks, he will survive, but probably will have to spend months in NICU, and might get lots of problems. I have never felt so bad and depressed ever, not even when they told me I was 2cm dilated at 31wk pregnant with little caterpillar. I was so tired, took long long naps, and went to bed much earlier. Today I woke up felt much better, so happily I went downstairs and cooked some nice breakfast for the family. But 2 hours after breakfast, I collapsed in the sofa again, feeling like carrying tons of bricks. Ended up taking an 4 hours nap without lunch. Then had only 1 slice of pizza for dinner, and felt like dying again. <br /><br />After some research online, I feel a little better knowing that I am not the only one had these kind of side effects after these tests. But most women had the symptoms within hours after drinking that orange stuff, while I was fine that day, and having these long effects for 2 days so far. Stubborn just checked my result online, guess I failed. Now I am terrified I will hear from my OB's office to schedule the 3 hour test this week. I almost collapsed in the waiting room during the 3hr test when I was pregnant with little caterpillar. So, if I have to go back for it, Stubborn has to go with me, so I won't collapse while driving. <br /><br />I am still feeling so bad now, but at least I know what it is now, I am not as worried. And my boy has been kicking strong and hard throughout the day, so I know he's doing just fine. Just feeling guilty that I cannot keep up with my little girl, and had to ignore her calling. Even videotaping her playing and singing for 5 minutes made me exhausted. At least 6 more weeks before my boy reach full term, my girl might feel lonely for a long time. How on earth do other moms handle them during pregnancy?TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-45000244483990620532012-01-13T10:23:00.006-05:002012-01-13T10:32:06.178-05:00Orchid UpdateMore of my orchids opened up! Aren't they just precious? <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMDn9zeBixs/TxBNfJX0maI/AAAAAAAAFZQ/ls-hid9pnGo/s1600/0026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMDn9zeBixs/TxBNfJX0maI/AAAAAAAAFZQ/ls-hid9pnGo/s400/0026.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697138726110796194" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6sj1YU0WLw/TxBNeuLA7hI/AAAAAAAAFZA/WoziVvwxBAI/s1600/0029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6sj1YU0WLw/TxBNeuLA7hI/AAAAAAAAFZA/WoziVvwxBAI/s400/0029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697138718809320978" /></a><br />This one is about to open in just several days. It will be so lovely, all bright yellow dancing ladies!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQ5eBQZM26g/TxBNefm5SfI/AAAAAAAAFYw/62UmxHyg1WA/s1600/0028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQ5eBQZM26g/TxBNefm5SfI/AAAAAAAAFYw/62UmxHyg1WA/s400/0028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697138714899728882" /></a><br />This is not orchid, but my little gold fish. It's just so cute, and has been blooming for a long time. Small, but cute!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-fWiO4yCSQ/TxBNeBnxjhI/AAAAAAAAFYo/6pTVWpl64VA/s1600/0034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-fWiO4yCSQ/TxBNeBnxjhI/AAAAAAAAFYo/6pTVWpl64VA/s400/0034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697138706850352658" /></a><br />And all my Dendrobiums are still going strong, so is my Hawaii. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwMKczpSwlU/TxBOIcL2E9I/AAAAAAAAFZ0/5Oy8NuiQJh8/s1600/0030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwMKczpSwlU/TxBOIcL2E9I/AAAAAAAAFZ0/5Oy8NuiQJh8/s400/0030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697139435535471570" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f4anDQIZwQk/TxBOIKgt_XI/AAAAAAAAFZg/KYN7NyLqUwA/s1600/0032.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f4anDQIZwQk/TxBOIKgt_XI/AAAAAAAAFZg/KYN7NyLqUwA/s400/0032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697139430791183730" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bCLFFIAfsEM/TxBOIHvcYkI/AAAAAAAAFZY/dDx2awMlPNg/s1600/0033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bCLFFIAfsEM/TxBOIHvcYkI/AAAAAAAAFZY/dDx2awMlPNg/s400/0033.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697139430047638082" /></a><br />It's so nice to have something so pretty to look at when it's cold and gray outside. So now, do you want to grow some orchids now?TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-25900289502439083082012-01-09T10:35:00.014-05:002012-01-09T12:00:01.540-05:00Living Room UpdateEven though I am supposed to be on bedrest, I still cannot control my nesting urge sometimes. Months ago, I bought enough materials for two toy shelfs for the living room, but only had energy to build one. But now I cannot stand the toy mess in the living room any more, I had to finish the second one. Since I cannot lift heavy stuffs, I just painted the boards in the basement, then brought them upstairs one by one, and finish building it right in the living room. Here is the before picture of the west wall of the living room. What a mess! When did I get all these toys for just one girl!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rWMMtAXZAt0/TwsK2F8qWEI/AAAAAAAAFVo/iceF30rER5E/s1600/9539.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rWMMtAXZAt0/TwsK2F8qWEI/AAAAAAAAFVo/iceF30rER5E/s400/9539.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695658078165948482" /></a><br />We don't have a family room or a separate room to set up as little caterpillar's playroom, so I have to make this small living room a multi-functional room. Here is the after picture, kind of. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HSTb8nvwnKw/TwsMH_PrmaI/AAAAAAAAFV0/4tOpmEMLC8I/s1600/0009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HSTb8nvwnKw/TwsMH_PrmaI/AAAAAAAAFV0/4tOpmEMLC8I/s400/0009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695659485115947426" /></a> Well, it's not all done yet, but it does look more organized. Now everything has its own spot. The shelf on the left is the new one. Look closely, you can see it's not done yet. I need to trim the sides a little bit to make it even with the first shelf, paint the raw edges, and polyurethane it. Look at the height difference here, it doesn't bother Stubborn or little caterpillar, but it really bugs me! But I am exhausted, and it doesn't worth risking having my baby premature. So, it just have to stay this way until this baby is out. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18DY7_b6U4o/TwsPBtbJP3I/AAAAAAAAFWA/bPFmyB2todw/s1600/0014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18DY7_b6U4o/TwsPBtbJP3I/AAAAAAAAFWA/bPFmyB2todw/s400/0014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695662675787857778" /></a><br />Here is what the left side looks like now. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSuKb6ceOVQ/TwsPUdRqYyI/AAAAAAAAFWc/nc1r7iMFmrY/s1600/0035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSuKb6ceOVQ/TwsPUdRqYyI/AAAAAAAAFWc/nc1r7iMFmrY/s400/0035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695662997870633762" /></a>I made that alphabet art a couple of nights ago. I found it online, and printed out the individual letters, cut them out, and taped them to a piece of white board. So easy! Cannot remmeber where I found it online though, it was months ago. Whoever created this art originally, THANK YOU! My girl loves it! The blue floral bins on the upper right shelf are so easy to make also. They were just these boxes from BJ's. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4NXZuTsTeE/TwsSWUcRtaI/AAAAAAAAFXI/nfC0MFYzbAk/s1600/0024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4NXZuTsTeE/TwsSWUcRtaI/AAAAAAAAFXI/nfC0MFYzbAk/s400/0024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695666328393856418" /></a>I built these toy shelves 18" deep to accommodate her music table and some other big toys, and these free boxes are the perfect size. Some self-adhesive shelf lining paper and several minutes later, this is how it looks like! Much better! And each of these bins costs me about 50 cents! I just need to make some pretty labels for them. They each hold a different type of toys, like building blocks, musical toys, pulling toys, teaparty toys, etc. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0YB-mY0WVAg/TwsSWEgQt8I/AAAAAAAAFW8/xOQDmACfe3M/s1600/0025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0YB-mY0WVAg/TwsSWEgQt8I/AAAAAAAAFW8/xOQDmACfe3M/s400/0025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695666324115601346" /></a><br />This is the right shelf. As you can see, her favorite toys are on top of the shelf, so she can play with them anytime she likes, without digging or pulling them out of big boxes. And notice I removed the horse painting, and tied a piece of yarn to display her arts. Aren't they cute? Little caterpillar is very happy to see her masterpieces proudly displayed on the wall!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XMMTRdZ1g7Q/TwsPUEy4qZI/AAAAAAAAFWM/iuSppOmKzEA/s1600/0045.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XMMTRdZ1g7Q/TwsPUEy4qZI/AAAAAAAAFWM/iuSppOmKzEA/s400/0045.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695662991299094930" /></a><br /> <br />Before I show you the other side of the living room, I have to show you some of her toys! I just love wooden toys! Almost all those plastic toys came from friends! <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QXLfYBdCDXw/TwsW2ZhE1gI/AAAAAAAAFXw/g6kaulNXf_E/s1600/0038.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QXLfYBdCDXw/TwsW2ZhE1gI/AAAAAAAAFXw/g6kaulNXf_E/s400/0038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695671277558486530" /></a>Look at these, my girl is more into cars, airplanes and dinosaurs than dolls! <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86xteXcvaR0/TwsW11NHVVI/AAAAAAAAFXg/sEFJ6Vuf0e0/s1600/0042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86xteXcvaR0/TwsW11NHVVI/AAAAAAAAFXg/sEFJ6Vuf0e0/s400/0042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695671267811087698" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4QIaeXF_bM/TwsW1W2DRaI/AAAAAAAAFXU/ViIPMvj_DNM/s1600/0044.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4QIaeXF_bM/TwsW1W2DRaI/AAAAAAAAFXU/ViIPMvj_DNM/s400/0044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695671259661288866" /></a><br />She loves that cashier machine, and sings to that microphone all the time. And everytime she sees someone playing piano on the TV, she starts playing along on her little piano. So cute! We might need to get her a real piano in a couple of years.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-neIWUO1pnwA/TwsXuiPemhI/AAAAAAAAFYA/w2Lh85kjZ6s/s1600/0039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-neIWUO1pnwA/TwsXuiPemhI/AAAAAAAAFYA/w2Lh85kjZ6s/s400/0039.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695672241973271058" /></a><br />These globes are my favorites. I can show her where grandparents and other relatives live. The big and midium ones are from thrift store, the tiny glass one was a party favor from a wedding.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TO1DLN5OShY/TwsXucEUbHI/AAAAAAAAFX4/R9VvMiGbFNY/s1600/0040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TO1DLN5OShY/TwsXucEUbHI/AAAAAAAAFX4/R9VvMiGbFNY/s400/0040.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695672240315853938" /></a><br /><br />OK, now the east side of the living room. This is how that tiny corner looked like during the holidays. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZewXy1Reeg/TwsYbXeTy5I/AAAAAAAAFYQ/egNyaK83h1s/s1600/9707.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZewXy1Reeg/TwsYbXeTy5I/AAAAAAAAFYQ/egNyaK83h1s/s400/9707.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695673012176800658" /></a>I wanted to set up a painting table there, so I took down the xmas tree 2 days after. Moved the animal alphabet art up a little bit, so I could hang the little DIY blackboard and some buckets right under it. Now she can do coloring, finger printing, and draw with chalks on the blackboard, right at one table! The activity bag hanging on the wall holds her coloring books. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eAiOACaJ4Z4/TwsZxJx0BXI/AAAAAAAAFYc/jbiG1udEqSI/s1600/0019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eAiOACaJ4Z4/TwsZxJx0BXI/AAAAAAAAFYc/jbiG1udEqSI/s400/0019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695674485969257842" /></a>All I need is a walllamp above it. It's kind of dark. I love this <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80172592/">ikea lamp</a> very much, but not enough to drive 1hr to get it. I will get it next time we go there for more stuffs. <br /><br />There you have it, my living room is taken over by my girl! And I am happy about it and supporting it. This is the exact situation I said I won't allow before I had her. But you know what, my love to my baby totally won! I don't mind toys in the living room any more, just need to have them under control!TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-83053946956078426692011-12-22T23:22:00.006-05:002011-12-22T23:44:08.542-05:00Garden UpdatesThis might sound strange to some people, but if you read my other garden posts, you knew I have lots of orchids, and lots of them bloom in winter. Right now, I have 3 den., 1 catt., 1 hawaii blooming, and two more others ready to open any day now.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HW4HY1DGRas/TvQDfkcv_DI/AAAAAAAAFUI/734rMaCd_RM/s1600/9346-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HW4HY1DGRas/TvQDfkcv_DI/AAAAAAAAFUI/734rMaCd_RM/s400/9346-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689176070170868786" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmL9Q3Zv314/TvQDe5_GNFI/AAAAAAAAFUA/YsK5BfGAYm0/s1600/9339.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmL9Q3Zv314/TvQDe5_GNFI/AAAAAAAAFUA/YsK5BfGAYm0/s400/9339.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689176058772206674" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3ke5wqouW0/TvQDeiYlakI/AAAAAAAAFTw/tNCAgOrFDyQ/s1600/9338.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3ke5wqouW0/TvQDeiYlakI/AAAAAAAAFTw/tNCAgOrFDyQ/s400/9338.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689176052436658754" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZh4LcyGGmU/TvQDdxq7mLI/AAAAAAAAFTo/QhRHj2g4GqE/s1600/9336.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZh4LcyGGmU/TvQDdxq7mLI/AAAAAAAAFTo/QhRHj2g4GqE/s400/9336.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689176039360272562" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd7l94AybVo/TvQDdlGJAJI/AAAAAAAAFTY/PshS_kQ2VTI/s1600/9331.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd7l94AybVo/TvQDdlGJAJI/AAAAAAAAFTY/PshS_kQ2VTI/s400/9331.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689176035984736402" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EhXGFov-gpA/TvQEP9d442I/AAAAAAAAFUs/G68VNoZ5WNM/s1600/9553.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EhXGFov-gpA/TvQEP9d442I/AAAAAAAAFUs/G68VNoZ5WNM/s400/9553.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689176901520253794" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rkL18yor2P4/TvQEPILV3WI/AAAAAAAAFUk/CTadSm2uwAA/s1600/9554.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rkL18yor2P4/TvQEPILV3WI/AAAAAAAAFUk/CTadSm2uwAA/s400/9554.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689176887215381858" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0-yJxs_eRE/TvQEO5TVfGI/AAAAAAAAFUU/f-mA6lJNHO0/s1600/9552.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0-yJxs_eRE/TvQEO5TVfGI/AAAAAAAAFUU/f-mA6lJNHO0/s400/9552.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689176883222379618" /></a><br />These two are about to open. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FgZvIUM4O1s/TvQFPYdQ8mI/AAAAAAAAFVM/iV7U_08k17Y/s1600/9349.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FgZvIUM4O1s/TvQFPYdQ8mI/AAAAAAAAFVM/iV7U_08k17Y/s400/9349.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689177991097152098" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6OafPuYMTY/TvQFPBX7bpI/AAAAAAAAFVE/GXnMPT-xxdk/s1600/9556.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6OafPuYMTY/TvQFPBX7bpI/AAAAAAAAFVE/GXnMPT-xxdk/s400/9556.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689177984900755090" /></a><br /><br />This is a strange one to me. For several weeks now, I have noticed a weird seedpod looking thingy growing out after a flower faded on my pink jasmine plant! I didn't know jasmine does this! Anyone has any idea what this is?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q5ttOI7hrE/TvQE0tt7jFI/AAAAAAAAFU4/LpLjPzOWvCA/s1600/9342.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q5ttOI7hrE/TvQE0tt7jFI/AAAAAAAAFU4/LpLjPzOWvCA/s400/9342.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689177532947729490" /></a><br /><br />This last one is beautiful also, just totally out of season. My forthysia and winter jasmine normally bloom in Feb or Mar, when the winter is ending. But this time they got fooled by mother nature. We had our cold weather and first snow before Halloween, then two months of unbelievable warm weather. Lots of plants got fooled, some daffodils and plum flowers have been reported. Poor things may die next time we have a snow storm. I don't care so much of the forthysia, but I do hope my winter jasmine can survive!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bri6sWqK8vA/TvQG3K1CKzI/AAAAAAAAFVc/pJdAm7XwrSk/s1600/9550.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bri6sWqK8vA/TvQG3K1CKzI/AAAAAAAAFVc/pJdAm7XwrSk/s400/9550.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689179774145145650" /></a><br /><br /> TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-77970425410454493352011-12-19T16:01:00.005-05:002011-12-19T16:27:53.775-05:00Having Fun With ToddlerLittle caterpillar is growing up so fast, learning a lot from daycare, which makes me happy and sad at the same time. I am happy she is enjoying all the activities, like finger painting, crafting, and singing and dancing. At the mean time, I am sad that I am not the one that teaching her those. Don't get me wrong. Even with all my education, I don't think I am qualified to teach toddler, since I don't know a thing when it comes to early education, and I am a very impatient person when it comes to teaching. And I am supposed to be bedresting, so cannot enjoy any exciting activities with her. But I promised myself I will at least try and apply all my crafty skills. <br /><br />Yesterday, I took out some paper and paint, and did some fun finger painting with little caterpillar. It was lots of fun, I don't believe I ever did finger painting as a child. Kids growing up in China, at least during our time, you are told to follow strict rules, you cannot make a mess, you have to color inside the lines, and you are supposed to use painting brush not your fingers. So, you guessed, I enjoyed it too. We painted a nice xmas tree together, with lots of ornaments. It's drying on the wall, I will show it to you as soon as it's totally dry. But of course, I was not prepared enough, so got a huge mess to clean up. Even when I cleaned up immediately, some paint dried up on our dining table, so hard to get off! After some reading online, I learned that I supposed to put down some newspaper on the table first! We used so much paint, it was going to break the bank, I thought. So, I mixed some homemade fingerpaint following online recipes (3 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup corn starch, 2 cups water, food coloring). I didn't have food coloring, and little caterpillar never tried eating paints, so I just used the paints I have on hand. They look pretty good, I will let you know how their performance is. <br /><br />Then while I was making some fun pillows, I all of a sudden thought of a puppet theater! Little caterpillar has 10 finger puppets (animal set from Ikea), and two hand puppets, and she loves playing them with me. Think how much fun it will be to playing them in a real 'theater'. This way, I can also encourage her story telling and pretend playing. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9ecOG7QDwc/Tu-qo3kdh0I/AAAAAAAAFTA/MepuYLvB5SI/s1600/puppetTheater.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9ecOG7QDwc/Tu-qo3kdh0I/AAAAAAAAFTA/MepuYLvB5SI/s400/puppetTheater.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687952473480595266" /></a>The puppet theaters are so easy for me to make, I have so many fabric, ribbons and sewing machine. But I have no idea to make more hand puppets. Got to do more research on that. Here is just one <a href="weekend-diy-make-your-own-hand-puppets">tutorial</a> I found. Will show you my creation later. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53gd1WlmOJ8/Tu-q41YKQ8I/AAAAAAAAFTM/AJjfMCELuAY/s1600/diy-hand-puppet.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53gd1WlmOJ8/Tu-q41YKQ8I/AAAAAAAAFTM/AJjfMCELuAY/s400/diy-hand-puppet.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687952747770037186" /></a><br />TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-80924188423160574102011-12-05T13:42:00.009-05:002011-12-05T16:13:44.294-05:00Scored Again!Went thrifting this past weekend, and MAN, was I in luck! Here are everything I got, for just $24 and some changes. Can you believe that? It's about the price of one pair of those baby shoes, or that sweater dress!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4w09i6qMN-0/Tt0vqC3X-UI/AAAAAAAAFRw/wnVM0NmHYnc/s1600/decThrifting-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4w09i6qMN-0/Tt0vqC3X-UI/AAAAAAAAFRw/wnVM0NmHYnc/s400/decThrifting-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682750704181573954" /></a><br /><br />I actually went to look for some nice bowls. We don't have enough bowls in the house right now. We are Chinese, so we use bowls rather than plates. Little caterpillar has been naughty, broke lots of them. So, I cannot really leave dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher, simply because we got nothing to eat out of. I am not running the dishwasher half full, wasting energy. Being pregnant and bedresting, I am not going hand wash them either. So solution? Get more bowls! It does not really fit in my declutter plan, but I have to survive this pregnancy first. I was so excited when I spotted these big IKEA soup bowls! I was hoping to find some of the smaller ones, I have seen one small IKEA bowl there before. Well, big ones will do just fine. And the $.89 price tag made it even sweeter. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_a4sQnY2Udc/Tt0vpxxPd0I/AAAAAAAAFRg/jkGi-d6jPLQ/s1600/decThrifting-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_a4sQnY2Udc/Tt0vpxxPd0I/AAAAAAAAFRg/jkGi-d6jPLQ/s400/decThrifting-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682750699592447810" /></a><br /><br />Oh, I also found a small IKEA bowl, a CORELL cereal bowl, and 3 more cereal bowls. $.69 each!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GLoa5J7og1M/Tt0vpHSAxVI/AAAAAAAAFRY/sAEd8RgvpG8/s1600/decThrifting-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GLoa5J7og1M/Tt0vpHSAxVI/AAAAAAAAFRY/sAEd8RgvpG8/s400/decThrifting-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682750688187172178" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ENawUW04Bo4/Tt0vovoa5uI/AAAAAAAAFRI/9mpz3DoSpgU/s1600/decThrifting-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ENawUW04Bo4/Tt0vovoa5uI/AAAAAAAAFRI/9mpz3DoSpgU/s400/decThrifting-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682750681838708450" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgVA8qDgFCs/Tt0vov6a8GI/AAAAAAAAFQ8/t5se8LGN6x8/s1600/decThrifting-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgVA8qDgFCs/Tt0vov6a8GI/AAAAAAAAFQ8/t5se8LGN6x8/s400/decThrifting-5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682750681914208354" /></a><br /><br />Then some nice white mugs caught my eyes. Simple, yet elegant. And the best of all, all white. Then I found a stack of little plates, matching the mugs! All from JCP Home. Even though there were only 7 mugs, I still got 8 plates, hoping next time I will find the last mug. There were lots of IKEA plates too, but like I said we don't use plates as much, I just passed them by. The mugs were $.69 each, while the little saucer plates are $.35 each!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qj7F_Xf7qJE/Tt0wg5tvM3I/AAAAAAAAFSo/lelOrlkoVgA/s1600/decThrifting-7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qj7F_Xf7qJE/Tt0wg5tvM3I/AAAAAAAAFSo/lelOrlkoVgA/s400/decThrifting-7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682751646618039154" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MTnrFpP4Ty8/Tt0wgtzmGFI/AAAAAAAAFSc/j-y7Ar0WInA/s1600/decThrifting-8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 392px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MTnrFpP4Ty8/Tt0wgtzmGFI/AAAAAAAAFSc/j-y7Ar0WInA/s400/decThrifting-8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682751643421382738" /></a><br /><br />I already got some shoes for my baby boy, but when I saw the shoe shelves full, I just had to check them out. There were so many cute ones for a girl, but too small. What a pity! But my boy is not born yet, so I can buy any size I want. And just my luck, all 3 pairs were white tag, which means $1 each!!! Sweet! Just that one pair of Strike Rite retails for more than $40! Ha!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZPJgKhqWKU/Tt0wgB__YKI/AAAAAAAAFSU/A1tMICjshFI/s1600/decThrifting-10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 247px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZPJgKhqWKU/Tt0wgB__YKI/AAAAAAAAFSU/A1tMICjshFI/s400/decThrifting-10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682751631662211234" /></a><br /><br />Also found this beautiful Old Navy sweater dress for my girl. Well, it's a little bit too big for little caterpillar now, but she will grow into it. It looks like brand new, and only $3.99! I also picked up a coral red cardigan for myself, white tag, so only $1! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14R8FhNUjSY/Tt0wfb87zeI/AAAAAAAAFR4/iUpOXe57Uh4/s1600/decThrifting-12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14R8FhNUjSY/Tt0wfb87zeI/AAAAAAAAFR4/iUpOXe57Uh4/s400/decThrifting-12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682751621448846818" /></a><br /><br />One hat for me also, just $.99, and a super cute one for my girl, only $1.99. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOvslr8Jp78/Tt0zJd1GqVI/AAAAAAAAFS0/E1HACJAa2WQ/s1600/decThrifting-13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOvslr8Jp78/Tt0zJd1GqVI/AAAAAAAAFS0/E1HACJAa2WQ/s400/decThrifting-13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682754542530636114" /></a><br /><br />This pair of GAP pants for my boy is only $3.99! So cute! They normally sells for at least $25 in store. I am not spending that kind of money for something my kids only going to wear for one season at best.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gog1wjFhyuc/Tt0wfj7YzUI/AAAAAAAAFSE/12Rtt0_jnKo/s1600/decThrifting-11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gog1wjFhyuc/Tt0wfj7YzUI/AAAAAAAAFSE/12Rtt0_jnKo/s400/decThrifting-11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682751623589842242" /></a> <br /><br />There you have it. All 24 dollars of them! Are you tired of my thrifting posts yet? Well, if I continue to find whatever I had my mind on, I will continue bragging about it. Kids are expensive, all the daycare cost and other activities, I have to save any place I can. How is your thrifting luck lately?TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-1605410771799574872011-12-02T14:51:00.004-05:002011-12-02T15:35:16.434-05:00Commute Time SewingSince I am working from home now, I got to use my old commute time to do something I really like, sewing for my family. <br /><br />Little caterpillar is growing up so fast, and lately she just wants nothing to do with the footed PJs (is that what they are called?), keeps saying it hurts! Maybe her feet are getting too big, even though the PJ itself still fits. So I decided to make her some new flannel PJ pants for this winter. I used the free kids pants pattern from Dona (MADE). She is the best, and this pattern is so fabulous, and fits my girl perfectly. Although the first pair I made was a little bit too big, the other three were perfect, just an inch too long. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnFi57V_TaM/Ttkv8B_UPZI/AAAAAAAAFQA/_JDkkFN2lXM/s1600/9243.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnFi57V_TaM/Ttkv8B_UPZI/AAAAAAAAFQA/_JDkkFN2lXM/s400/9243.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681625113277250962" /></a><br />This is the first one, made from one of my old PJs, with a big side pocket. I meant to make it wider, so more comfortable for my girl to lounge in, but clearly I went too far. Well, it will fit her in a couple of years. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2unnHLuvxU/Ttkv8TpgzFI/AAAAAAAAFQI/YIcSei8Jkps/s1600/9242.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2unnHLuvxU/Ttkv8TpgzFI/AAAAAAAAFQI/YIcSei8Jkps/s400/9242.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681625118017637458" /></a><br />This is the second one I made. I bought this small piece of remnant from Joann's lately, just enough for a pair of pants. Isn't it soooo cute? Love the little whales. If the remnant is bigger, I could have saved it for myself. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKnHymlGwz4/Ttkv9JhAagI/AAAAAAAAFQo/eHq7dccjvlQ/s1600/9239.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKnHymlGwz4/Ttkv9JhAagI/AAAAAAAAFQo/eHq7dccjvlQ/s400/9239.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681625132477475330" /></a><br />The third pair is made from a beautiful blue rose flannel I got years ago from yardsale. I was going to make a crib sheet out of it, but it is big enough for an extra pair pants for my girl. I sewed my label on the back of all of them. Stubborn joked these are brand name now! Ha!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxjlThVezLQ/Ttkv8eZ3vMI/AAAAAAAAFQY/-yLFHQmfQRE/s1600/9240.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxjlThVezLQ/Ttkv8eZ3vMI/AAAAAAAAFQY/-yLFHQmfQRE/s400/9240.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681625120904821954" /></a> The last pair is also made from yardsale fabric. These fabric was about $.50 each, which means I spent less than $5 for all four PJ pants, plus enough left overs for some crib sheets. Don't you just love such a great deal?<br /><br />I also bought a big piece of super soft winter fleece, with the cutest apple green polka dots. It was another remnant piece, only costed me about $5! I just rounded the corners with a small bowl as template, and zigzagged all around. Simple and quick baby blanket for my new baby boy. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RIaG-6aDeGQ/Ttkz9MRA5QI/AAAAAAAAFQw/Qzq3B6KcF5k/s1600/9237.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RIaG-6aDeGQ/Ttkz9MRA5QI/AAAAAAAAFQw/Qzq3B6KcF5k/s400/9237.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681629531262215426" /></a><br />I also started making reusable fabric diapers for my baby boy. Found this wonderfully simple tutorial online, and it says this diaper will fit a baby from 3 months to 2 year old. I just changed it a little bit, using a layer of flannel and breathable diaper fabric I got from Joann. It has this layer of plastic kind of thing on the wrong side of it, makes sewing a nightmare. These little diapers has an opening on the back, for the prefold inserts. Stubborn doesn't like the idea of using safty pins near our baby, so I just have to sew on some velcros. I can make one in 30 minutes, which is what I have in the morning. It will take me a while to make enough. Maybe I should just make some, and wait till my baby is here to try them on. And in case he grows up too fast, I can make some bigger ones. Let's see how long I can stick to this fabric diaper plan. TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-30663152628182024472011-11-18T10:40:00.005-05:002011-11-18T11:04:37.329-05:00Finally Some Fall PicturesI am so behind on photo processing. So many things happened lately, I didn't even have a second for myself. Now everything back to normal, I am finally catching up. About two weeks ago, when little caterpillar was sick (pneumonia) and staying home with me, I took her out to the yard for some fresh air. Of course when she was not having fever. She has been sick a lot this fall, so we cancelled our foliage trip. So, when fall came to my own backyard, I just have to take some pictures of my little girl with all that wonderful colors. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kppqSAHx8Tg/TsZ-F0H-MQI/AAAAAAAAFOU/v3mQSpwywmI/s1600/8967.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kppqSAHx8Tg/TsZ-F0H-MQI/AAAAAAAAFOU/v3mQSpwywmI/s400/8967.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676363018703614210" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hzlw_mJF7hY/TsZ-FqMHH4I/AAAAAAAAFOE/0i-TzjR3_aY/s1600/8953.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hzlw_mJF7hY/TsZ-FqMHH4I/AAAAAAAAFOE/0i-TzjR3_aY/s400/8953.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676363016036622210" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xNJExsAbg00/TsZ-ElmhnGI/AAAAAAAAFN8/OXxPG-VltFg/s1600/8954.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xNJExsAbg00/TsZ-ElmhnGI/AAAAAAAAFN8/OXxPG-VltFg/s400/8954.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676362997625363554" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXNmULjSweM/TsZ-Ef2JlgI/AAAAAAAAFNs/C4Psqp9BZuE/s1600/8971.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXNmULjSweM/TsZ-Ef2JlgI/AAAAAAAAFNs/C4Psqp9BZuE/s400/8971.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676362996080285186" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p12ucqIUZU4/TsZ-G4ZIOpI/AAAAAAAAFOc/wLdCCXbV9PA/s1600/8980.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p12ucqIUZU4/TsZ-G4ZIOpI/AAAAAAAAFOc/wLdCCXbV9PA/s400/8980.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676363037029186194" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0omgJRocak/TsZ-yv57bXI/AAAAAAAAFOs/hp9QTndVk9Y/s1600/8982.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0omgJRocak/TsZ-yv57bXI/AAAAAAAAFOs/hp9QTndVk9Y/s400/8982.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676363790665084274" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RbpO1_6xCGs/TsZ-y2hiwmI/AAAAAAAAFO4/-mMa1dYRUFA/s1600/8978.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RbpO1_6xCGs/TsZ-y2hiwmI/AAAAAAAAFO4/-mMa1dYRUFA/s400/8978.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676363792441852514" /></a><br />We had such a great time. But I noticed it's getting harder and harder to get good pictures of her. She either runs right into the camera, or runs around so fast, or fake a smile for mommy. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3LwFWPYpjI/TsZ-zWxTe9I/AAAAAAAAFPE/y83Enl4-gXk/s1600/8964.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3LwFWPYpjI/TsZ-zWxTe9I/AAAAAAAAFPE/y83Enl4-gXk/s400/8964.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676363801097894866" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dypDdceTfY8/TsaA_p3zKSI/AAAAAAAAFP0/wFK587Nragg/s1600/8958-blur.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dypDdceTfY8/TsaA_p3zKSI/AAAAAAAAFP0/wFK587Nragg/s400/8958-blur.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676366211407096098" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6W4lQDgu0L8/TsaA_XLZPaI/AAAAAAAAFPk/Ux51OONm3co/s1600/8974-blur.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6W4lQDgu0L8/TsaA_XLZPaI/AAAAAAAAFPk/Ux51OONm3co/s400/8974-blur.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676366206389009826" /></a><br />The poor thing was still quite sick, within half an hour, she was exhausted. Couple of minutes lying in sofa watching cartoon, she fell asleep. My poor baby. Thank goodness she is much better now. No more fever, coughing or even running nose.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xj-6DxzyDjM/TsaA-8o5z1I/AAAAAAAAFPc/fwwPk8_aCAc/s1600/8987-blur.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xj-6DxzyDjM/TsaA-8o5z1I/AAAAAAAAFPc/fwwPk8_aCAc/s400/8987-blur.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676366199265021778" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOkAHLq40q0/TsaA-n5ohUI/AAAAAAAAFPQ/9ugzcMQULvQ/s1600/8990-blur.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOkAHLq40q0/TsaA-n5ohUI/AAAAAAAAFPQ/9ugzcMQULvQ/s400/8990-blur.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676366193698047298" /></a><br />TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-75831264159871804872011-11-17T09:35:00.003-05:002011-11-17T11:13:11.665-05:00Orchid UpdateHaven't really pay attention to my plants lately. But I am trying to do better. After moving them back inside, I have been watering them more frequently, and mist them. Now here are my rewards. <br /><br />My Hawaii is in full bloom again. There are four spikes, I have been waiting for more flower to open to take a better picture, but the first spike faded. Well, it's not that bad, I still have 3 spikes and they have 3 to 5 flowers each. And this is the first time I ever noticed they even have a little bit minty smell. LOVELY!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hkw-8j-wD4A/TsUxfIGiANI/AAAAAAAAFNg/7uPtNNzL1EM/s1600/9064.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hkw-8j-wD4A/TsUxfIGiANI/AAAAAAAAFNg/7uPtNNzL1EM/s400/9064.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675997316190961874" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J0P3bhcUz4M/TsUxd4Nbi6I/AAAAAAAAFNI/uPs3YBDetgI/s1600/9067.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J0P3bhcUz4M/TsUxd4Nbi6I/AAAAAAAAFNI/uPs3YBDetgI/s400/9067.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675997294745062306" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bk5KaPeMlw4/TsUxdEbV8tI/AAAAAAAAFNA/wfcxNinruDg/s1600/9068.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bk5KaPeMlw4/TsUxdEbV8tI/AAAAAAAAFNA/wfcxNinruDg/s400/9068.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675997280844772050" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J4Ky5xUOIHc/TsUxceX_7zI/AAAAAAAAFMw/rTfp2p30KOE/s1600/9069.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J4Ky5xUOIHc/TsUxceX_7zI/AAAAAAAAFMw/rTfp2p30KOE/s400/9069.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675997270630199090" /></a><br /><br />And all 3 of my dendrobiums are sending out spikes at the same time. The biggest is my Singapore Girl, it was a rescue from a coworker, and it has been doing pretty well. Yeah I know the older ones all lost their leaves, but the new one always bloom for me. This flower just opened up yesterday. Love how intense the color is, and that white edge highlight is wonderful. Cannot wait for all 3 to open, so I can show you a better view. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYhOckd_ek4/TsUxeLyxN4I/AAAAAAAAFNY/HXN_zhZfeyk/s1600/9066.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYhOckd_ek4/TsUxeLyxN4I/AAAAAAAAFNY/HXN_zhZfeyk/s400/9066.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675997300001945474" /></a><br />TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-73110890303281275872011-11-16T10:54:00.005-05:002011-11-16T11:50:49.685-05:00ExhaustedSorry I haven't been around for a while. Lots of things happened. First we found out it's a boy! Yay! Then 2 minutes later we were told I had cervical insufficiency, had to have an emergency surgery the next day, otherwise I could miscarry. Glad Stubborn was there with me that day, I was so nervous. My surgery went pretty well, but it took me more than 5 hours to recover from the spinal. Little caterpillar was such a champ, stayed with stubborn in the waiting room for all that time. After the surgery, I was supposed to be on bedrest for the rest of my pregnancy. Well, that was not going to happen. 2 days later, little caterpillar got really bad diarrhea, pooping more than a dozen times a day for 4 days straight. Even though Stubborn was there taking care of her, I still had to clean up and doing laundry. Then there was about a week wonderful time, she was healthy again, eating great, and gaining back the weight she lost. Then all of a sudden last Mon, after I picked her up from daycare, she started acting strange. 20 minutes later, I realized she was having fever, almost 104F! How could the daycare teacher telling me everything was fine? You don't get a 104F fever in 20 minutes. Anyway. I called the nurse, and of course all of us thought she caught the cold or flu, so I was told to give her some ibuprofen and watch her for 24 hrs. By the third morning (about 36 hrs later), I couldn't wait any more. I took her to the doctor's office. And lucky we went, because she was diagnosed with Pneumonia! Poor thing had fever up to 103F for several days, finally 3 days after taking antibiotics her fever came down. I have to sleep in her room, since Stubborn normally won't wake up at night, so wouldn't know if her temperature goes up again. Then he had to go to a conference out of town for several days! Imagine how busy and tired I have been. But at least my girl is much better now, and went back to daycare again. Finally I can get some rest. She is still on antibiotics, but I can tell she is recovering. She has no more fever, just a little bit coughing and running nose, and she has been sleeping and napping like a hibernating little bear! Well after all these, now I am coming down with something. Hopefully it's just a cold, and I can tough it out without using any antibiotics or anything that might hurts my baby boy. <br /><br />OK, enough complaining, here is something else has been going on. I went thrifting the other day, and found some cute winter clothes for my boy. I thought boy clothes are boring, but they can be quite cute. Don't you think?<br />These two little jackets are so cute. I just love that little bear, it made me smile everytime I look at it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTuDNWVJQYo/TsPmed8hA3I/AAAAAAAAFMg/uh-3pXJia3I/s1600/boy12mons_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTuDNWVJQYo/TsPmed8hA3I/AAAAAAAAFMg/uh-3pXJia3I/s400/boy12mons_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675633366525870962" /></a><br /><br />The shirt/sweater vest set to the left was from Children's Place, and brand new! The green shirt was brand new also, and from Gap!!! The blue vest has a fun fishing applique on the front. I can see my boy wobbling around in these, looking like a little gentleman. How cute will that be?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--1nxh-PBDy0/TsPmeIkk2VI/AAAAAAAAFMU/GxLyosrjEcs/s1600/boy12mons_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--1nxh-PBDy0/TsPmeIkk2VI/AAAAAAAAFMU/GxLyosrjEcs/s400/boy12mons_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675633360788314450" /></a><br /><br />The Elmo overall was from my last thrifting trip, this front one is the new found. It's hard to see in this picture, there are dinosaur design all over it. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac-UFe4R-ME/TsPmdYRq-pI/AAAAAAAAFMM/FOZ2dHImYgU/s1600/boy12mons_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac-UFe4R-ME/TsPmdYRq-pI/AAAAAAAAFMM/FOZ2dHImYgU/s400/boy12mons_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675633347824122514" /></a><br /><br />The smaller pants is from Gap, and very thick. It will be perfect for his first winter. The green one has a little monkey applique, it supposed to be for 2T, but I am sure I will fold the legs shorter and let him wear it early on. Well, I want to try fabric diaper this time, so he needs some of those big butt pants. =)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z79mcPzjbPY/TsPmcv8Kb0I/AAAAAAAAFL8/c1HvgL1vfds/s1600/boy12mons_4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z79mcPzjbPY/TsPmcv8Kb0I/AAAAAAAAFL8/c1HvgL1vfds/s400/boy12mons_4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675633336996491074" /></a><br /><br />Found some fabric from my stash that can be used for boys. Surprise! I cannot wait to make some summer shorts or pants for my little guy. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vLpKX1iLHsw/TsPmcZpwNpI/AAAAAAAAFLw/uwjGFIzYSUQ/s1600/boyFabric.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vLpKX1iLHsw/TsPmcZpwNpI/AAAAAAAAFLw/uwjGFIzYSUQ/s400/boyFabric.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675633331013695122" /></a><br /><br />The best part is some of these are brand new, babies grow up so fast, even if they did wear some clothes, they all look pretty good. And most of the ones I bought are nice brands, they will be quite expensive to buy from the stores. All above clothes were about $2-3 each, so I spent total about $16 for all these, less than the cost of that Children's Place shirt vest set! Am I done with stocking up for this little boy? Maybe not. I am sure there will be more cute boy stuffs waiting for me next time I go to our local Salvation Army. TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-607967897712401725.post-57825933467011436412011-11-07T09:16:00.004-05:002011-11-07T09:33:56.490-05:00Homemade Kids Birthday Gifts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEJWPfF6AXU/TrfoilnDjtI/AAAAAAAAFI8/i8AJ3ybfR8k/s1600/hazelLinus-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEJWPfF6AXU/TrfoilnDjtI/AAAAAAAAFI8/i8AJ3ybfR8k/s400/hazelLinus-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672257936605548242" /></a>This is what I finally came up with, of course combining some of the ideas I mentioned <a href="http://sallyzblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/homemade-birthday-gifts.html">before</a>. I just love making little shoulder bags for kids, it's so easy, and versatile, and practical. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-htN6txJCS5o/Trfph4wkAAI/AAAAAAAAFJs/ckNfrkgFLWM/s1600/linus-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-htN6txJCS5o/Trfph4wkAAI/AAAAAAAAFJs/ckNfrkgFLWM/s400/linus-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672259024077455362" /></a>For Linus, the little boy in little caterpillar's class, I made this cute dinosaur playmat, following this <a href="http://servingpinklemonade.blogspot.com/2010/06/dinosaur-play-mat.html">tutorial</a>. I changed the colors a little bit, had to deal with whatever I had in my felt box. The whole point of this homemade gifts idea is to save money, I got to use up my scraps before buying new materials. I think it turned out pretty cute. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-paKA8o__yUI/TrfphYDjNAI/AAAAAAAAFJg/jLDrPDcCGOw/s1600/linus-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-paKA8o__yUI/TrfphYDjNAI/AAAAAAAAFJg/jLDrPDcCGOw/s400/linus-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672259015298724866" /></a>Actually his bag is also a coloring bag, has those crayon holders on the outside. So, if for some reason he doesn't like dinosaurs, he can still use this bag. I also sewed some pockets inside, for carrying some small toys. The dino mat can be folded and put in the bag, and the little dinos go into the pockets. Well, I knew that green nursery fabric is not really working for a 2-yr-old boy, but again I didn't want to buy new fabric and this one is the only green scraps I had that's big enough. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6o1QmrCArNA/Trfpgn_k11I/AAAAAAAAFJY/ZdxdTENcD4U/s1600/linus-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6o1QmrCArNA/Trfpgn_k11I/AAAAAAAAFJY/ZdxdTENcD4U/s400/linus-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672259002397153106" /></a>I also used some leftover green felt and made his name to attach to the front of the bag. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xXG-pLrXQvc/TrfpgY_i2nI/AAAAAAAAFJI/hSNfRfQPqjM/s1600/linus-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xXG-pLrXQvc/TrfpgY_i2nI/AAAAAAAAFJI/hSNfRfQPqjM/s400/linus-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672258998370490994" /></a><br /><br />For the big sis Hazel, I made her the same coloring bag, just slightly bigger. Putting some crayons in the front pockets, and a couple of coloring books inside along with the rest of the crayons. I think she will like to have her own personal bag too. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1YX3atAavE/Trfru4YQ3JI/AAAAAAAAFKE/gpJkkGGVgSY/s1600/hazel-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1YX3atAavE/Trfru4YQ3JI/AAAAAAAAFKE/gpJkkGGVgSY/s400/hazel-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672261446337092754" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RZwPjPG6-v8/TrfrupFcxpI/AAAAAAAAFJ4/N67PY2m5A_U/s1600/hazel-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RZwPjPG6-v8/TrfrupFcxpI/AAAAAAAAFJ4/N67PY2m5A_U/s400/hazel-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672261442231649938" /></a><br /><br />Of course each kid got my unique name zipperpulls. These zipperpulls sell really well in my store, so I think they will love it too. (image coming)TranquilityKnotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341091353412784317noreply@blogger.com1